HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Do Whitish Colored Bumps On The Back Of Throat Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 29 Jun 2015

Question: Hi. For a while now I have had several flesh-colored to whitish colored bumps on the back of my throat. They do not cause any pain or are not associated with other symptoms. Just curious as to what these could be, as their existence is bothering me. Also I have acid reflux and chronic post-nasal drip, if that has anything to do with it.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Granular Pharyngitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. The flesh colored / whitish bumps on the back of the throat are inflamed lymphoid tissue known as Granular Pharyngitis.

2. The enlarged areas of lymphoid (tonsil-like) tissue give a 'cobble stoned' appearance. This also makes the throat sensitive.

3. This is very common with a post nasal drip (PND) and reflux.

4. An anti-allergic decongestant, mucolytic, steam inhalation, saline nasal washes and medicated gargles will help reduce the PND. Anti-reflux treatment includes proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), prokinetic agents, diet and life style modifications, ruling out a sliding hernia and h.pylori infection.

5. After treatment, this should settle down.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (11 minutes later)

thank you for the quick response. Is it possible that the granular pharyngitis, if left untreated, could lead to cancer or some other malicious illness?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cancer is not a worry here.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. No, Granular Pharyngitis will never lead to cancer.

2. This can lead to quality of life issues as living with a post nasal drip is miserable. Hence the need to treat this.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (15 hours later)

Thank you! This should be my last question. Can further aggravation by reflux/PND cause more of the bumps? noticed two very small white colored bumps further down in my throat today.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lingual Tonsil.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. No, the number of Circumvallate Papillae will not increase.

2. The pale or whitish colored bumps that you have noticed beyond the Circumvallate Papillae on the tongue are part of the Lingual Tonsil. This tissue covers most of the posterior one third (back) of the tongue. The lumps on the posterior pharyngeal wall comprise Granular Pharyngitis.

3. This lymphoid tissue reacts to the reflux / PND and will settle down with treatment.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (11 hours later)

Thank you, but what I actually mean is I have noticed more lumps on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Can the number of lumps on the pharyngeal wall increase due to irritation by reflux and PND?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it may vary with the severity of the allergy/reflux/PND.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, these lumps on the back of the throat can increase and decrease i size depending upon the irritation by the reflux and PND.

2. In your case it is still mild. Severe granular pharyngitis has a cobblestone appearance.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar