What Causes Canker Sore On Tongue?

Posted on Wed, 28 May 2014

Question: Hello Doc,

2 days ago I had seen a canker sore on my tongue ( at least I thought it was a canker sore ) because I was very low on B12 , D vitamins and had gone through some stress, I was taking B12 tablets and saw it go low in 2 days , but I also had a small bump on the inner cheeks with white head which I thought is another canker sore, I am assuming its not oral herpes because I couldnt pop it, its just a hard bump with little white head, its pains when I run my tongue over it . I also have small red colored bump in my inner throat which scared me off but I am not having any pain or discomfort due to it but I am still worried what it could be , I am attaching the pics, kindly let me know what you think.
I gotto assert that the cankers sore responded well to my gel and B vitamin tablets and also I have had them in the past too.
I have a small bump in the right side of my throat just about the thryroid location, its not painful if I dont touch it and its not causing any swallowing or breathing problems too. I was supposed to see an ENT specialist but I couldn't get an appointment until May 19th , meanwhile I wanted to share this problem with you.
Kindly look at the attached reports.

http://postimg.org/image/4obeze7vb/
http://postimg.org/image/6n6kevp79/
http://postimg.org/image/nhed6byqh/
http://postimg.org/image/jxujv8yhp/

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It looks like a canker sore

Detailed Answer:
Hello

From your complaints and the image you have uploaded , it looks like a canker sore and i dont think you have to worry too much about it as it will resolve in 5-7 days, please continue your vitamin b tablets as they will help in early resolution of the symptoms.

The bumps and white spots in the mouth can be due to a viral infection like coxsackie , but i cannot confirm this , however these are benign conditions and will resolve spontaneously within a few days and require no further medications.

I can also suggest that you gargle regularly with warm salt water as this will prevent any super added bacterial infections from occurring.

The swelling in the thyroid region needs to be evaluated and i would like you to meet your ent doctor , who may ask you to do a ultrasound scan of the neck and FNAC of the swelling to find out the cause.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (1 hour later)

Thank you doctor,

I had shown it to my Primary care physician, she said she couldnt feel any lump, May be its a slight bump but not a lump, its pains when I prod at it and when I leave it the pain subsides. Does Cancer have this kind of symptoms, I know its hard to diagnose it here but just asking out of anxiety

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
yes a canker sore has these symptoms!

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Well , yes it is more likely to be a canker sore as it pains when you prod it!!

Please dont worry , cancer ulcers grow fast , pain continuously and will bleed , so you are unlikely to have one!

Please continue the vitamin b complex medications.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (2 hours later)

Thank you Doctor,

I was talking about the bump near thyroid gland, could those be the symptoms of cancer?

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
not likely to be cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Although i have not examined you , but from your symptoms it is unlikely that you are having a cancer and it is just a benign swelling of the thyroid.

This i am telling in view of your age and the size of the swelling.

If it is a cancer, it will be painful , and will grow rapidly in size and may affect you voice.

Please dont worry!

However , do get it evaluated by your doctor.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (10 hours later)

Thank you Doc,

I am feeling much better now
If you dont have any problems I would like this query open until I see my ENT specialist so that I can come back with the findings.

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
sure!! no problem!!

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Good to hear that you are better now!!
Sure, i dont mind , please get back to me with your ent doctors advice!!

Will be glad to help!

Thanks

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad