HomeAnswersInternal Medicinetongue disorders

What could cause enlarged bumps on the back of the tongue?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 29 year old male. I have some enlarged bumps and white lesion on the back of my tongue. I thought that I had a gum problem because my saliva was often brownish and I had a funny taste in my mouth. Now, I believe that I have some fungus infection. It looks exactly like on the picture I have attached, but only in the back of my tongue. What kind of treatment should I need?

Answered by Dr. Naresh Kumar Monigari

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Naresh Kumar Monigari is a General Practitioner and a Family Physician with expertise in providing comprehensive primary healthcare services. He is well-versed in the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. He is an expert in addressing health concerns across all age groups. He gives patient education on disease prevention and wellness. He gives coordination of care with specialists when needed.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I had gone through all the data posted. From the picture posted (attachment removed to protect patient identity), those bumps seen on the tongue are suggestive of enlarged or swollen circumvallate papillae.There are four types of papillae on the surface of the tongue that help us to differentiate all the taste sensation. Circumvallate papillae are situated in V-shape at the junction of the anterior two-third and posterior one-third of the tongue. These become swollen in times of inflammation, late infection, burning tongue by eating hot foods, smoking, cancer and some types of oral cancer. The whitish coating looks like coated tongue and less likely to be due to fungal infection Do you smoke? Kindly stop smoking if you have a habit of. Since how many days it has been like that? Use Listerine mouthwash rinses with water and gargle three times a day. Avoid hot foods, do brushing twice a day and wait for five days for improvement.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I smoke two packs of cigarette a month. It has been going on for months now. I have bought some Listerine. I do have some grayish patches on my tongue as in the picture. Could that be giving me the bad taste and brownish saliva?

Answered by Dr. Naresh Kumar Monigari

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Naresh Kumar Monigari is a General Practitioner and a Family Physician with expertise in providing comprehensive primary healthcare services. He is well-versed in the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. He is an expert in addressing health concerns across all age groups. He gives patient education on disease prevention and wellness. He gives coordination of care with specialists when needed.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. I had gone through all the data posted. Your dental hygiene is poor, so use mouthwash two times a day regularly. Stop smoking and wait for a week. If there is no improvement, then kindly consult a local doctor.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 26, 2018
Reviewed At April 22, 2024

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Naresh Kumar Monigari is a General Practitioner and a Family Physician with expertise in providing comprehensive primary healthcare services. He is well-versed in the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. He is an expert in addressing health concerns across all age groups. He gives patient education on disease prevention and wellness. He gives coordination of care with specialists when needed.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

2,112Visits prepared today
4.8/5User rating
~60 secAverage completion time
Companion

Enlarged Tongue Bumps Companion

How it works

Enlarged bumps on the back of your tongue can be concerning. Here's what you need to know about their common causes and what they might mean.

1

Circumvallate
Papillae

2

Why
They

3

Patches
Appearance

4

Symptoms
Watch

5

Home
Care

6

Doctor
Visit

This information is based on general medical guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; consult a qualified clinician.

Always consult a doctor before taking medication; self-medication carries serious health risks. Take exact prescribed doses, and never start, change, or stop treatment without medical supervision.

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Naresh Kumar Monigari is a General Practitioner and a Family Physician with expertise in providing comprehensive primary healthcare services. He is well-versed in the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. He is an expert in addressing health concerns across all age groups. He gives patient education on disease prevention and wellness. He gives coordination of care with specialists when needed.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Listen to related tracks in our music library
Comprehensive Second Opinion

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.