Tongue Health

[james6677]

Not really sure where to put this, but I've been told that my 3 month HIV test was conclusive, and yet i'm not at ease.  Can someone tell me what is going on with my tongue here please?!?!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56822215@N04/5245074848/

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Was it always present before your HIV testing?  It may just be excess keratinized tissue but if you're concerned, they may need to do a biopsy.  To me, it looks like excess keratinized tissue (thicker skin on tongue) essentially.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

An irritation or allergic reaction to something can develop anytime.  You may want to try to switch to see if there's any improvement.  It couldn't hurt to try.

[james6677]

They don't seem to move much if at all.  I was just concerned it may be thrush, but from what I can see from pictures thrush seems to be large patches not smaller dots, that bleed easily.  If this is the case I feel much better, however if it could be Thrush I have more concerns.  

Also have grey patches on the far back of throat (where things head downward).  Honestly the doctor I went to see didn't seemed to concerned, but also didn't have much of any explanation.  Kinda got in and got out quickly.

With the change in toothpaste would that stay for months on end?  I did change my toothpaste back in August from Crest to Colgate.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Well, if the patches look like they move, it may be benign migratory glossitis.  Try taking an anti-inflammatory like motrin for a little while and see if that'll help with the inflammation on the tongue.  I would think about any other changes orally such as changing toothpastes, mouthwash, etc that might have occurred around the same time that may have resulted in irritation of the tongue.

[james6677]

No recommendations at all he was quite unhelpful.  They are all in the middle of my tongue toward the back.  Don't seem to be moving much.  Like the picture should show they are tiny dots, not really patches I wouldn't say.  I've been kinda staying away from spicy foods lately cuz it seems my stomach is nauseated alot more recently as well.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Did he make any recommendations for it?  Such as avoiding spicy foods, salty foods, etc?  Does the white patch seem to change locations?

[james6677]

He said it seems to be caused due to some inflammation of the taste buds, sometimes a white coating can arise from it.  Something like that he said anyways.  Does that make any sense?

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Ya, if you rub it hard, I'm sure you could make it bleed.  Usually a gentle wipe with a gauze or tissue paper shouldn't cause it to bleed.  Just keep an eye on it and monitor any weird changes, otherwise, what did he/she think it was?  

[james6677]

it doesn't come off, and started bleeding after a bit of rubbing.  Doctor didn't seem to think it was thrush which is good due to it being an HIV symptom.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Probably not thrush.  Can you wipe it off?  If you can, it may be thrush, especially if it looks raw underneath after wiping it.  Don't try to rub it off though and irritate it til its raw though.  

[james6677]

It seemed to have been present at least since the point of concern of HIV (When I possibly could have contracted the disease), and could have been there before just had not noticed it.  Is there any treatment for it?  Not thrush or anything then either from what you can see?

[james6677]

Also I should note that it was a negative result.  So I wanted to know what is wrong with my tongue.  I'm still very uneasy!