Hi there,I was recently checked out by an ent for a sore throat and it was discovered that I had some redness at the base of my tongue near my epiglottis. I have just finished a treatment of antibiotics (Avelox) and inhaler (symbicort) for a case of bronchitis. After the treatment I have been having a powdery taste in my throat (I understand this could be an aftereffect of symbicort; I have started a treatment of nystatin just in case I have thrush although I do not have obvious symptoms. I know my problem is the redness at the base of my tongue but I want to know how I can relieve the irritation feeling and the irritation when I breathe through my mouth. It is not painful but very annoying. I have tried various mouthwashes but they seem to burn. I am trying to find something (gargle or otherwise) that will lesson the irritation and put me on the road to healing that redness. I have been checked for allergies and have none. The ent said that the rest of my throat is fine and although I have some acid reflux and take 40 mg Nexium a day he said that based on the appearance of the top of my esophagus and my vocal cords and larynx that the chances of upper reflux are extremely low. Thanks Jean