Red spots on the tongue - causes and treatment methods

Our tongue is the organ that the body uses to let us know when something wrong is happening. Problems with the stomach, heart, hormonal imbalance, fungal infection - everything is reflected in the tongue. Therefore, if red spots appear on it, you should not ignore them, this may be a signal of a serious problem.

Causes of the problem

A red spot on the tongue can be a manifestation of a variety of pathologies, for example:

• Vitamin deficiency
  Redness of the tongue is caused by a deficiency of B vitamins and niacin.

• Allergy
  Response to food, drinks, drugs

• The burn is
  not only thermal, but also chemical. The Internet is full of different, sometimes strange, advice. Experimenting on yourself can have sad consequences.

• Hormonal imbalance
  Red spots on the tongue often appear in women during pregnancy and menopause.

• Infections of various etiologies
  Bacteria and viruses provoke inflammatory processes, one of the symptoms of which is discoloration.

Red spots on the tongue are not yet a diagnosis. A doctor needs to conduct an examination to determine the exact cause.

Redness of the tongue may indicate various diseases.

Why do red dots appear?

Red dots on the tongue most often appear with stomatitis (inflammatory processes of the oral mucosa). There are quite a few direct causes of the development of stomatitis, but most often it is a viral infection, for example, of a herpetic nature.

Other factors also include pathogenic bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci), poor nutrition, fungi (for example, candidiasis), thermal or mechanical injuries, side effects of a number of medications, anemia, hormonal imbalance, decreased salivation, and dehydration.

The next common cause of red dots is allergies. It most often differs in food origin. You can suspect it when keeping a food diary. In this case, it is convenient to note the relationship between the appearance of a rash and the use of a specific product.

What are the reasons for red dots and white coating on the tongue? More on this below.

Diagnosis

It is difficult to independently distinguish relatively harmless manifestations of diseases in the form of red spots from serious disorders. Any rash on the tongue already indicates systemic problems, but some of them indicate serious cases.

Erythroplakia requires immediate surgical intervention. Therefore, it is better not to take the position “it will go away on its own,” but to consult a doctor.

Since spots on the tongue are a symptom of disease, examination is usually aimed at identifying the causes. Laboratory tests, flora tests, histology and medical history allow us to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Features of treatment

Barring allergies, trauma and dyes, it is very important to treat permanent stains correctly. You need to go to an appointment with a dentist, who will treat, for example, glossitis, herpes, stomatitis, and identify benign formations in the oral cavity. If the disease is not dental, then he will refer you to a general practitioner, pediatrician, oncologist, cardiologist and gastroenterologist. Specialists may need additional examinations and tests. You cannot self-medicate.

These could be, for example, cancers that require long and serious treatment, as well as earlier diagnosis. Spots caused by pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and hematopoietic system are treated only when the cause of their appearance is addressed. A hematologist or gastroenterologist can determine it after examination. This disease cannot be dealt with at home; it will only waste time. To get rid of pyogenic granuloma, specialists will prescribe surgery, cryodestruction or electrocoagulation. How else to treat red dots on the tongue?

They try to treat candidiasis on their own with decoctions, rinses, infusions and other folk remedies. Sometimes that's enough. However, most often you need to take antifungal agents internally, as well as immunomodulators and vitamins to strengthen the body as a whole.

Leukoplakia can be cured by dental treatment or elimination of foods with sharp edges from the diet. If the reddened part of the tongue is covered with keratinized grains, this indicates the beginning of a precancerous condition. In this case, you need to contact an oncologist. A “geographical” or “bald” tongue cannot be returned to its former state, since the taste buds and papillae cannot be restored. Allergic reactions in the form of redness occur in children and are difficult to treat if several new foods are introduced into the diet at the same time. Red food is a particular allergen.

Online consultation with a doctor if you are concerned about symptoms

If you are concerned about symptoms such as spots on the tongue, accompanied by burning, tingling, pain, then it is best to undergo an examination and consultation with a dentist. Because these may be signs of a more serious disease that should not be neglected, otherwise inaction will lead to the need for longer-term and more expensive treatment. Red spots on the surface of the tongue may indicate a fungal, viral, or venereal infection. It is often difficult to determine on your own what it is: glossitis, stomatitis, Kawasaki disease or something else. A specialist will help you understand the signs of the disease and etiology online. He will give professional recommendations, suggest treatment options and further actions.

What does a healthy tongue look like?

First, let's remind parents what a healthy tongue looks like. The following signs indicate the state of normality:

• the size is not increased;
• humidity is moderate;
• the color of the tongue is pale pink, without spots or grooves;
• sensitivity is normal, papillae are not enlarged;
• allow for a light coating that is easy to clean;
• There is no bad breath.

If, upon examination of the child, the condition of his tongue corresponds to the signs described above, there is no reason to worry and see a doctor.

Disease prevention

Dental measures include:

• Regular thorough oral care.

A properly selected toothbrush, constant flossing, and rinsing your mouth after eating will help avoid inflammatory processes.

• Use a toothpaste that suits the purpose at this stage. You cannot use whitening or medicinal pastes constantly, only in courses.

General preventive measures:

• Healthy lifestyle
• To give up smoking
• Regular medical examinations

Red bumps on the tongue closer to the throat - what are they?

In most cases, bumps at the base of the tongue, pimples on the side, growths on the tip of the tongue are manifestations of the following diseases:

• Diseases of the mucous membrane of an inflammatory nature (glossitis) are accompanied by the formation of painful red rashes on the mucous membrane, in severe form - abscesses, phlegmons.

• Metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency. Such conditions are characterized by redness and enlargement of the taste buds, which often become inflamed and acquire a red-white color.
• Herpes, characterized by the appearance of painful red pimples and blisters.

If red bumps or nodules appear on the base of the tongue, this may be a symptom of pyogenic granuloma. The formations consist of blood vessels and are localized in the wounded area. Pathology occurs due to injuries and damage to the mucous membrane. When touching the formations, a person feels a sharp pain.

• Digestive disorders (malabsorption). Pimples on the root, all over the surface of the tongue, are one of the symptoms of this pathology.
• Candidiasis (thrush). A disease that often affects newborns. The child's tongue becomes covered with red bumps and a cheesy coating forms. The baby behaves restlessly, cries, and has difficulty swallowing; these symptoms are caused by itchy red-white pimples and dry mouth.
• HPV – human papillomavirus. Formations are localized in any area of ​​the tongue: at the tip, root, side. The bumps on the tongue closer to the larynx cause particular discomfort, as they interfere with swallowing and create the sensation of a foreign object in the mouth.
• Allergic diseases. The rashes do not hurt, but they interfere with swallowing and speaking.
• Diseases common to children: chickenpox, measles.

Expert opinion

Roman Borisovich Alekperov

orthopedic dentist

Experience: 24 years

Most often, red spots on the tongue are not accompanied by pain. A slight burning sensation or no symptoms at all creates a dangerous feeling that the problem will go away on its own. This can worsen the condition and cause serious consequences. If you have red spots on your tongue, consult a doctor. It is better to quickly take measures recommended by professionals than to spend a long time on treatment later.

Causes of pimples on the tongue

The main causes of rashes:

• Traumatic injuries, burns. It is not uncommon for the tip or side surface of the tongue to be damaged by cutlery, excessively hot food, or one’s own teeth.
• Weakened immunity. When pimples appear on the tongue closer to the throat, at its base or near the frenulum, this may indicate reduced immunity. A variety of pimples and bumps are localized here: condylomas and warts, candidal bumps.
• Development of benign and malignant tumors.
• Poor nutrition, bad habits. If you violate the rules of nutrition, excessive consumption of spicy, hot, rough foods, an irritating and traumatic effect on the mucous membrane occurs, which provokes the appearance of pimples. Excessive smoking and alcoholic libations also cause diseases of the mucous membranes in adults.
• The causes of lumps at the end and root of the tongue may be allergic. Allergic disease manifests itself not only on the skin, but also on mucous membranes.

Large bumps located close to the pharynx make it difficult to swallow food and can lead to breathing blockage.

• If pimples appear on the tongue closer to the larynx, they could be caused by various diseases of a chronic, viral and infectious nature.
• Neglect of hygiene rules. Eating unwashed foods and irregular oral hygiene not only in children, but also in adults, causes irritation of the mucous membrane and, as a result, the appearance of inflamed pimples.

Where to contact

Any dentist will be able to help with advice, but it is still better to contact multidisciplinary clinics. The larger the clinic, the more patients, which means the doctors’ experience is much wider. In addition, high-quality specialists are rarely seen in modest dentistry on the outskirts of the city; they mostly work in large centers. Another reason to contact a multidisciplinary center is that they pay great attention to improving the qualifications of doctors, including in therapeutic dentistry.

The table shows contacts of 5 clinics where you will be advised about red spots on the tongue.

Preventive measures

Simple preventative measures will prevent the onset of the disease. Basic rules of behavior and hygiene:

• Fruits and vegetables should always be washed before consumption.
• Food should not be excessively hot, cold, spicy or rough.
• The chewing process should be slow, which will prevent tongue biting.
• Personal hygiene should be observed: dental and oral care.
• It is necessary to have individual cutlery and a toothbrush.
• The brush should be renewed monthly. Change immediately after an illness.
• Regular visits to the dentist are recommended. It is necessary to treat diseases of the teeth and oral cavity in a timely manner, remove tartar and plaque, because these are the main sources of infection in the mouth.
• It is necessary to maintain adequate physical activity, which will increase immunity and the condition of the entire body.

Any pimple, growth or tubercle on the mucous membrane, both in an adult and in a child, requires close attention. You should not treat the bumps yourself; only a doctor can do this.

You should not pierce or try to squeeze out pimples on the mucous membrane; such actions can lead to negative consequences: the growth of foci of inflammation, the appearance of open wounds as a result of injuries.

The best thing a person can do if they have bumps on their tongue is to see a dentist or therapist. Such a decision will speed up recovery and prevent possible complications.