Is the burning sensation in my tongue due to glossitis?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 38 years old. My pain started as ear pain around the 8th of last month, for which I started taking antibiotics by the 15th. On the 19th of the last month, I felt some burning sensation on the left side of my tongue and saw what I thought was an ulcer or small flesh, and it was whitish around the area. This continued till the 1st of this month, so I went to two ENT surgeons, both diagnosed glossitis (both did not mention any ulcer to be monitored, etc.) and asked me to take vitamin B supplements and apply some topical gel only when the burning sensation is too much. I have been taking vitamin B, and burning has come down, but the spot on the left side of the tongue is still sore. I showed the dentist with whom I am under TMJ treatment. He also did not seem bothered and told it was an inflamed papilla due to sharp teeth rubbing. The burning is still there near that sore spot, and the spot looks the same. It is inflamed now for about four weeks. Eating eases the burning, and I do not feel it while sleeping, etc. Does this look like something that warrants a biopsy because none of the doctors entertained that thought? Should I go back to the ENT and ask for a biopsy.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, thank you for such sensible pictures (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) and properly written history. It is such a rare thing to come by.

From the pictures, I am assuming that you do not smoke or consume pan.

Coming to your issue of a suspicious lesion, I cannot see a suspicious lesion that warrants a biopsy at present. Your burning sensation might have been because of the glossitis. It is paraesthesia.

I understand you are very concerned about this, but for the time being, you can relax.

The following measures can help,

Have a balanced diet, vitamin B and C deficiency can cause gum problems. Take care of any sharp teeth, if any. Avoid spicy food, especially chilies. You can try doing warm saline gargles twice a day for a week. Keep a timely periodic check on the site every week for a month. Take pictures to compare to the previous week and feel the area with your finger to see whether there is any hardened area in the tongue. If you find any change or if you can find any hardened or firm nodular area in the 'visible' portion of the tongue, then the need for biopsy can be revisited. Otherwise, relax, like your doctors would have told you, it should be fine in a couple of weeks. I do not suspect it to be cancer at this time. However, this opinion is without actually examining you and can change after in-person examination and evaluation. I hope it helps.

Regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I am glad that I could help. Stay safe.