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Creamy Tongue,red Spots,bad Breath

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Posted on Tue, 22 May 2012
Question: Hi Doctor, I am a 23 year old male from UK. I have a creamy tongue all the time, i use a tongue scraper but it always comes back. Near the back of the tongue there are little red spots. I am too embarrased to go to my own doctor. The breath also smells about 15mins after brushing. Please help. I thought i was in general good health. I also still breakout in spots could this be linked to the creamy tongue and is it serious.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (2 hours later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query. Creamy tongue and bad smelling breath can be due to oral thrush which is a fungal infection caused by Candida fungus. Thrush appears as white patches in the mouth on the tongue, inside the cheeks, under the tongue, and in the back of the throat. I suggest you to get an examination done from your doctor and get a KOH examination of the scrapings done of these white coatings. This will confirm the diagnosis of thrush.

The other possibilities are of oral lichen planus or leukoplakia. Oral lichen planus appears as raised white lines on your tongue that has a lace-like appearance. Leukoplakia ia a precancerous condition that causes cells in the mouth to grow excessively which leads to the formation of white patches inside the mouth, including on the tongue. But this is the last possibility and should be thought of only when investigations come negative for thrush and lichen planus.

I suggest you to get a KOH examination from your doctor and till that time antifungal like nystatin liquid can be used for swishing a bit in your mouth several times a day and then swallowing the medicine. Throat lozenges can also be used. Thrush is not serious and is treatable with topical and oral antifungals.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.








Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jasvinder Singh (58 minutes later)
Thank you Dr XXXXXXX for your answer to my query. I will need to just build up the courage and go see my doctor to get proper diagnosis. Can you explain how i still break out with spots, can thrush be causing this i doubt it. Where can i get the suggested products?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (8 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

Oral thrush causes creamy white patches or small red spots on the tongue, roof of the mouth (also called the hard palate), gums or throat. Crusting on the corners of the mouth is also a symptom of thrush.

You can get the suggested products from your pharmacist. But it is advisable to take oral antifungals after a prescription from your doctor.

Hope this answers your query.

Wishing you good health.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Jasvinder Singh

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1578 Questions

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Creamy Tongue,red Spots,bad Breath

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting your query. Creamy tongue and bad smelling breath can be due to oral thrush which is a fungal infection caused by Candida fungus. Thrush appears as white patches in the mouth on the tongue, inside the cheeks, under the tongue, and in the back of the throat. I suggest you to get an examination done from your doctor and get a KOH examination of the scrapings done of these white coatings. This will confirm the diagnosis of thrush.

The other possibilities are of oral lichen planus or leukoplakia. Oral lichen planus appears as raised white lines on your tongue that has a lace-like appearance. Leukoplakia ia a precancerous condition that causes cells in the mouth to grow excessively which leads to the formation of white patches inside the mouth, including on the tongue. But this is the last possibility and should be thought of only when investigations come negative for thrush and lichen planus.

I suggest you to get a KOH examination from your doctor and till that time antifungal like nystatin liquid can be used for swishing a bit in your mouth several times a day and then swallowing the medicine. Throat lozenges can also be used. Thrush is not serious and is treatable with topical and oral antifungals.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.