Question: Dr. Mintz, My son, 33, has been referred to an eyes,ear, nose , throat doc but I would like you to look at a picture if I can email it to you. I just don't want to worry all weekend. ER Doc was baffled by it.
Brief Answer:
This is leukoplakia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Iam Dr. Dadapeer K, an Opthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
I went through the photo which you have sent. This is leukoplakia, a white patch on the tongue.
This is a common condition seen in clinical practice and the common causes to be considered are
Chronic irritation caused by irregular tooth edges, spicy food
Deficiency of Vitamins like Vitamin B and C
Immunodeficiency
Viral infections like Herpes simplex virus
Alcohol, smoking, chewing of tobacco...
Fungal infections like candidiasis
Most of the lesions stay for 2-3 weeks and resolve once the source of irritation is removed. The lesions persisting for more than 2-3 weeks require examination.
The examination is important because about 2% of them may represent precancerous lesions.
The examination is a small biopsy done by a ENT surgeon or a dentist or a oral pathologist to find out the type and underlying cause.
You need to worry for this as this condition is common in clinical practice and the most common cause is chronic irritation. However other conditions as I have mentioned above needs to ruled out particularly when the lesion is persisting for a long time
Hence I advice you to consult ENT surgeon or a dentist or a oral pathologist for further examination and treatment accordingly.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
I meant not to worry all weekend.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up
I meant to say you need not worry all weekend. The condition does not appear to be an emergency hence I advice to get consultation in the week beginning when the specialist doctor is available.
Though most of the times the condition can be benign not requiring any treatment, resolving on its own. But this compulsorily requires evaluation by a specialist to rule out the precancerous lesion, immunodeficiency associated lesions as I had mentioned in the last answer.
Hope I have answered your query and the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
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What Causes Leukoplakia?
Brief Answer:
This is leukoplakia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Iam Dr. Dadapeer K, an Opthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
I went through the photo which you have sent. This is leukoplakia, a white patch on the tongue.
This is a common condition seen in clinical practice and the common causes to be considered are
Chronic irritation caused by irregular tooth edges, spicy food
Deficiency of Vitamins like Vitamin B and C
Immunodeficiency
Viral infections like Herpes simplex virus
Alcohol, smoking, chewing of tobacco...
Fungal infections like candidiasis
Most of the lesions stay for 2-3 weeks and resolve once the source of irritation is removed. The lesions persisting for more than 2-3 weeks require examination.
The examination is important because about 2% of them may represent precancerous lesions.
The examination is a small biopsy done by a ENT surgeon or a dentist or a oral pathologist to find out the type and underlying cause.
You need to worry for this as this condition is common in clinical practice and the most common cause is chronic irritation. However other conditions as I have mentioned above needs to ruled out particularly when the lesion is persisting for a long time
Hence I advice you to consult ENT surgeon or a dentist or a oral pathologist for further examination and treatment accordingly.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you