Nodule on Tongue

I have had what looks like a taste bud on the tip of my tongue become inflamed and puff up into a painful hard nodule. There are usually only 1 but sometimes there are 2 righ next to eachother. They are about 2 or 3mm in diamter and are normal colored with whitish edges. After about 2-4 days, they fall off like a scab with raw tissue underneath, leaving a pain similar to how an ulcer feels. This area turns white and flaky until healing over. It leaves a smoother than normal area for a couple weeks and then everything is back to normal. Should I be worried? What could this be? Oral STD? I have Ulcerative Colitis and my doc said it is possible that these nodules are inflammation from that condition, but has never seen it on the tongue. I am going to see my ENT as well, but it is hard to get to see him at the time that the nodule is active. How serious could this be? It has happened before, usually about once a month. I am also concerned for cosmetic reasons and to make sure it is not something that is contagious.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

MOre than likely, these are nothing more than inflamed papille, tongue structures which are usually not visible unless they become inflamed.  STD's in the mouth are uncommon, and don't come and go like this.

Perhaps you can have a friend take a photo, digital or otherwise, to bring to a doctor who isn't seeing the problem in full glory.  But you should see someone for definitive diagnosis.  An ENT, oral surgeon, or dentist should do.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff