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What Causes Inflammed Taste Buds?

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Posted on Mon, 27 Oct 2014
Question: What are these on my tongue? Some are round and pink others are pinkish white and are hair like projections. I have pictures attached. They are toward the back.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Inflammed taste buds...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through the pictures you sent in.

The "projections" of different pinkish/white color you say at the back of your tongue are taste buds normally located at this part of tongue.

If you have been having problems with:
- nausea
- vomiting
- sore throat
- runny nose or other flu-like symptoms recently

then, these taste buds become inflammed. Acid reflux (GERD) and thrush are other reasons to get them more prominently and inflammed.

I advise to:
- keep a good oral hygiene
- use oral antiseptics containing iodine
- avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or foods/drinks that would irritate the tongue mucosa
- avoid oral sex

If they won't get back to normal appearance again within a few days, should consult with an ENT specialist as you might need prescription medications.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (48 minutes later)
But they have always been like that. I've never seen them any different.

You see the hair-like projection in the front of all the pictures... is that a taste bud or a wart? Could any of these be warts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not thinking of warts,oral HPV testing is advised.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for following up and further data you provided. My apologies for the late reply.

I have gone through the photos your provided once again, and I noticed the hair-like projection you are referring.

As you are saying that you have had them always without any changes, then, this supports the idea that it is due to taste buds. I do not think it is due to warts, but to taste buds.

If other diagnosis (as mentioned earlier) are excluded, then, I'd ask to run Oral swab HPV test to rule it out.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)
But these don't look like wart to you?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

No, they do not seem warts to me.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7307 Questions

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What Causes Inflammed Taste Buds?

Brief Answer: Inflammed taste buds... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through the pictures you sent in. The "projections" of different pinkish/white color you say at the back of your tongue are taste buds normally located at this part of tongue. If you have been having problems with: - nausea - vomiting - sore throat - runny nose or other flu-like symptoms recently then, these taste buds become inflammed. Acid reflux (GERD) and thrush are other reasons to get them more prominently and inflammed. I advise to: - keep a good oral hygiene - use oral antiseptics containing iodine - avoid smoking, drinking alcohol or foods/drinks that would irritate the tongue mucosa - avoid oral sex If they won't get back to normal appearance again within a few days, should consult with an ENT specialist as you might need prescription medications. Hope it helped! Dr.Albana