
What Causes White Coated Tongue With Red Furry Spots?

Question: What has caused my tongue to be coated with white/red furry spots?
If you look at my other questions you can see I've been having some trouble with my throat over the past couple of weeks. This morning when I woke up my tongue felt a little different and when I checked it it was more gray than yesterday, and there are some red spots (see bottom right of image) that were not there before. Would this suggest the problems are bacterial in nature or what could it be?
If you look at my other questions you can see I've been having some trouble with my throat over the past couple of weeks. This morning when I woke up my tongue felt a little different and when I checked it it was more gray than yesterday, and there are some red spots (see bottom right of image) that were not there before. Would this suggest the problems are bacterial in nature or what could it be?
Brief Answer:
Glossitis ( inflammation of tongue) most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely glossitis. Vitamin deficiencies and bacterial/fungal infections can give such picture. In case of using inhaled corticosteroids and not washing mouth after that also can cause such problems.
For such condition i would recommend good oral hygiene, using gels containing choline salicylate for local application and vitamin supplements containing vitamin B complex, vitamin c and vitamin E.
If condition persist with out improvement then antibiotics can be taken.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Glossitis ( inflammation of tongue) most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for asking HCM.
I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely glossitis. Vitamin deficiencies and bacterial/fungal infections can give such picture. In case of using inhaled corticosteroids and not washing mouth after that also can cause such problems.
For such condition i would recommend good oral hygiene, using gels containing choline salicylate for local application and vitamin supplements containing vitamin B complex, vitamin c and vitamin E.
If condition persist with out improvement then antibiotics can be taken.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta


Thank you for your answer. I've been taking the multivitamins and so far no improvement. I was wondering if strep throat is a likely possibility? I'm not sure if you can see in the photo, but there are white patches at the side which have increased in size slightly over the past couple of days and my tongue is furry gray. Are there any signs in the image that would suggest it's not bacterial tonsillitis?
Brief Answer
As there is no picture of tonsil it is difficult to say.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
Thank you for your follow up query.
It can be a sign of bacterial infection. It looks like small ulcerative lesions. Tonsillitis is inflammation or infection of tonsils. Your picture doesn't show tonsils.
For the lesions on the tongue if local treatment is not helpful then systemic antibiotic can be taken. In such case i would prefer macrolides like azithromycin. Approach your GP for this.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
As there is no picture of tonsil it is difficult to say.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
Thank you for your follow up query.
It can be a sign of bacterial infection. It looks like small ulcerative lesions. Tonsillitis is inflammation or infection of tonsils. Your picture doesn't show tonsils.
For the lesions on the tongue if local treatment is not helpful then systemic antibiotic can be taken. In such case i would prefer macrolides like azithromycin. Approach your GP for this.
Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
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. Pradeep Vitta

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