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What Does Heavy Coating On The Tongue When On Antibiotics Indicate?
Question: I recently noticed my tongue heavily coated. It had been sugested on this site I had a problem with Candida Albicans in my system after taking strong antibiotics. To clean up my tongue I brushed it with helped, this was some 2-3 weeks ago. I have also started an anti Candida diet to get rid of the Candida, ie no sugar or yeasty type foods. Today when I looked at my tongue I thought, "hey my tongue looks much better now". However to my alarm I have noticed small hard lumps on my tongue, approximately half way back in the middle, with more towards my throat. They are not sore and they vary in size. Are these normal?
Brief Answer:
Should be normal circumvallate papillae and lingual tonsil tissue.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The large lumps that you have noticed are most likely to be circumvallate papillae and the lumps behind them are usually the lingual tonsil tissue.
2. These are normal structures.
3. It will help if you can upload close up images or you can get a direct examination done.
4. It is good to hear that your tongue coating has decreased.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Should be normal circumvallate papillae and lingual tonsil tissue.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The large lumps that you have noticed are most likely to be circumvallate papillae and the lumps behind them are usually the lingual tonsil tissue.
2. These are normal structures.
3. It will help if you can upload close up images or you can get a direct examination done.
4. It is good to hear that your tongue coating has decreased.
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
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for the quick reply, I have pics but I do not know how to upload them into this message. Just to be clear, it is normal to have hard white lumps on the middle part of your tongue towards the throat?
Brief Answer:
Yes, should be normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes it is normal to have these lumps, however they should be pink. This is the part of the tongue that is difficult to clean.
2. The white coating on your tongue is a common condition also seen with acid reflux, dehydration, decreased salivation, mouth breathing (sleep disordered breathing) besides fungal infections.
3. Hence a direct examination, and preferably a videolaryngoscopy is recommended.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Yes, should be normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes it is normal to have these lumps, however they should be pink. This is the part of the tongue that is difficult to clean.
2. The white coating on your tongue is a common condition also seen with acid reflux, dehydration, decreased salivation, mouth breathing (sleep disordered breathing) besides fungal infections.
3. Hence a direct examination, and preferably a videolaryngoscopy is recommended.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I suppose they are pink, although lighter than the rest of the tongue. I have looked at the circumvallate papillae online in pictures but these lumps are HARD and in front of the circumvallate papillae, spanning from the circumvallate papillae towards the middle of the tongue, I would guess around 12-14. I am right when I say the circumvallate papillae are the soft lumps right at the back of the tongue, on the left and right hand side? Is it possible they are hpv warts?
Brief Answer:
Fungiform papillae or Geographic Tongue / Median Rhomboid Glossitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The only way to resolve this is close-up images or a direct examination.
2. The soft lumps at the back of the tongue on either side will be the lingual tonsil tissue.
3. The circumvallate papillae are located in a row shaped like an inverted 'v'.
4. The area in front of the circumvallate papillae will have fungiform papillae or areas of the tongue denuded of filliform papillae due to glossitis or fungal infections.
5. Benign conditions such as Geographic tongue and Median Rhomboid Glossitis can present like this.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Fungiform papillae or Geographic Tongue / Median Rhomboid Glossitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The only way to resolve this is close-up images or a direct examination.
2. The soft lumps at the back of the tongue on either side will be the lingual tonsil tissue.
3. The circumvallate papillae are located in a row shaped like an inverted 'v'.
4. The area in front of the circumvallate papillae will have fungiform papillae or areas of the tongue denuded of filliform papillae due to glossitis or fungal infections.
5. Benign conditions such as Geographic tongue and Median Rhomboid Glossitis can present like this.
I hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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