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What Causes Yellowish Discolouration On Soft Palate And Repeated Hawking?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2015

Question: I recently had a horrible attack of burning mouth syndrome which I believe was caused by candida... My tongue is getting better and I don't have the bitter metallic taste in my mouth. I have pictures of when it happened and pictures from today. I think my my whole mouth uvula, and tonsils look very veiny and theirs yellowish spots on the soft palette...I have hacking a lot for a while due to sinuses and excess mucous so maybe it's from the irritation of hacking and coughing?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal mucosa of the soft palate

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

I have gone through your query and examined the images thoroughly. The yellowish discoloration noticed is the normal mucosa and at the different phases of healing.

Repeated hawking due to post nasal drip does cause inflammation of the mucosa of the posterior pharyngeal wall and not the soft palate. Hence, this is a normal finding.

Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (3 hours later)

I have have been hacking from the feeling of mucous in my throat for years. The worst part is that it never seems to clear no matter how much i try! I was on aderall for a long time but have been off of it for years and the problem still persists... I also get frequent sinus headaches... After this happened to my tongue im worried since its still sensitive and seems to get irritated when i hack. What coulf this be?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chronic sinusitis...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

You seem to be having chronic sinusitis. First of all, it is advisable to get a CT scan of the paranasal sinuses to assess the extent of the disease and depending upon the findings further management can be planned.

The routine medical management includes:
1. Steam inhalation at least a couple of times in a day.
2. Saline nasal spray as and when required.
3. Steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone or momentasone to reduce nasal congestion, secretions and nasal allergy. The spray should be used for at least 3-4 months continuously.
4. A mucolytic such as ambroxol or bromhexine for easy clearance of tenacious secretions.

If the symptoms do not get better with the above measures, surgical intervention may be required.

Hope I have clarified your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj