White spots on the tip, on the side of the tongue: what are the causes, reasons, than to treat

White spots in the language - this is a fairly common phenomenon among people of childhood and adulthood. Many people do not pay attention to this symptom, as they are sure that the reason is the lack of a balanced diet. This is to some extent the correct statement, however, the plaque or stains may indicate the flow of more severe pathological processes. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - this is not the entire list of problems that can be recognized by looking at the language. Acute and chronic mucosal trauma, bacterial, viral and autoimmune diseases, pathologies of the immune and cardiovascular system - all this can be manifested by a change in the color and structure of the tongue. Assessing its appearance, you can suspect many difficult diagnosed diseases. Some of them are manifested in the language, being in the first stages. This allows you to diagnose the disease on time and start treatment as early as possible. Not for nothing they say that language is a mirror of the body, which reflects the state of all its organs and systems. The reasons for the raid and white spots in the language can be many. In order not to analyze rare syndromes, one should give up attachment to accepted classifications. 

The reasons for the appearance of white spots in the language

Consider all the major diseases in which there is a white patch and spots.

The appearance of a white raid in the mornings

White coating on the tongue in the morning is a completely physiological process. Its formation is explained by the fact that some taste buds of the tongue are covered with cornificating epithelium. Due to this, exfoliation of the upper layers of tissues takes place. This is a kind of protective mechanism of the body, which allows for self-cleaning of the surface of the tongue. Naturally, the raid in the morning can appear and with various diseases. In order to distinguish normal plaque from pathological, it is necessary to know the main features of physiological plaque. In a healthy person, the tongue is covered in the morning with a thin layer of epithelium. Through it must taste through the taste buds of the tongue. The color of the plaque should be white or slightly greyish. But, if it is yellow, brown, black or dark gray, then it is worthwhile to see a doctor-therapist who will help to identify the cause of this condition. Also, the plaque can be considered physiological if it has a uniform structure: it is not assembled into lumps, it does not form circles, rings, strips and other figures, it covers only the back of the tongue. In addition, you need to know that in the mornings there should be no sensation of burning, tingling, pain in the tongue and other unpleasant symptoms. And, finally, the normal raid immediately disappears after the morning hygiene of the oral cavity or food intake. Pathological plaque does not disappear on its own during the day, but is only partially removed.

Geographical language

This is an individual structural feature of the language, in which there are ring-shaped whitish spots on its back. The origin and pathogenesis of this state remain unknown. Many researchers argue that the cause is a genetically determined anomaly of language development. Geographical language in children can appear from birth and flow without any sensations for the child. When parents notice the white spots on the child's tongue, they think that these elements appeared only recently. However, most likely, the white formations simply remained unnoticed or were expressed to an insignificant degree.

Differential diagnosis of geographical language is conducted with desquamative glossitis, candidiasis, leukoplakia. In this case, diagnosis is more important than the treatment itself. After all, if the presence of a geographical language is confirmed, then treatment is not required. This anomaly does not need correction, since it does not pose a danger to the health of the child. But the drug treatment of "contrived" disease can significantly affect the health of the child's body. Therefore, a thorough examination should be carried out before planning any therapy.

Flat leukoplakia of the tongue

Language is an organ that is constantly subjected to traumatic damage. Teeth, food, orthopedic and orthodontic structures - all this can have a negative impact on the tissues of the tongue. Since the structure of this body assumes functioning in aggressive conditions, it quickly regenerates with minor one-time injuries. However, serious injuries, chronic injuries can cause infection or a risk factor for the appearance of benign and malignant tumors. Speaking of white spots in the tongue, they can appear due to chronic mechanical trauma. As a rule, this kind of damage is provoked by improperly placed teeth, poor-quality restorations and artificial limbs. As a result of permanent damage, the epithelium covering the mucosa grows and thickens. This condition is called leukoplakia - hyperkeratosis of the mucous membrane. Visually the defect looks like a grayish-white spot, located on unchanged mucous membrane. It can be located on the tip of the tongue, back, side or under the tongue, depending on the location of the traumatic agent. Flat leukoplakia does not rise above the level of surrounding tissues and does not show itself clinically. Differentiate this state with fungal and viral diseases, benign and malignant neoplasms.

Diagnosis of white spots in the language involves performing a scraping, followed by a cytological examination. When analyzing the data, a lot of epithelial cells are determined, which are prone to increased keratinization.

Treatment of white spots in the tongue with leukoplakia is to eliminate the damaging factor and the use of medicines. Most often, doctors prescribe drugs that contain vitamins A and E in their composition. They are regulators of metabolism and cell-kerogenesis processes. If the focus of hyperkeratosis is quite extensive, cryodestruction (minimally invasive surgical treatment with liquid nitrogen) is performed.

[1], [2]

Chemical trauma of the tongue

Chemical trauma of the tongue can appear as white spots if it is caused by acid-containing substances. In this case, the place of the burn will look like a spot covered with a white film. The surrounding tissue with a chemical burn is usually hyperemic and swollen. Clinically, the chemical burn is quite bright, a strong, persistent pain in the tongue is troubling a person. When you touch the affected area, the symptomatology becomes worse. Differentiating spots that are caused by a burn is quite simple, because the diagnosis is confirmed by a traumatic anamnesis.

Treatment of chemical trauma consists in removing the irritant from the mucosal surface, applying antiseptics and neutralizing agent (for acids - alkali: soap water, 0.1% solution of ammonia, for alkalis - acids: 5% citric acid, acetic acid, for silver nitrate - 2-3% solution of sodium chloride, for phenol - 50% ethyl alcohol). After that, it is recommended to treat herbs (rinse with chamomile infusions, sage, oak bark, etc.), which stimulate healing, epithelization, and reduce inflammation.

[3], [4], [5], [6]

Galvanization

Galvanosis is a disease that is associated with the occurrence of biocurrents between different metal alloys. For example, if one crown is made of cobalt-chromium alloy and the other is made of steel, galvanic current can form between these structures. The clinical picture of galvanization can be quite blurred. The fact is that in every person the degree of expression of this pathological process can be different. Some people complain about an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, saliva viscosity, burning of the oral mucosa, etc. White spots with galvanization occur if it provokes hyperkeratosis (leukoplakia) or red flat lichen, which will be discussed later.

If galvanogenesis has a pronounced clinical picture, then it is not difficult to diagnose it. However, if it is accompanied only, for example, by leukoplakia, then it will be difficult to detect the galvanic process. It will require comprehensive instrumental and laboratory diagnostics, during which all pathologies that occur with hyperkeratosis phenomena will be phased out.

The treatment of galvanization is the removal of metal fillings, crowns and prostheses that caused the disease. Thus, only one group of alloys remains in the oral cavity. Hyperkeratoses caused by galvanic currents are treated by analogy with flat leukoplakia, which was considered earlier.

Desquamative glossitis, spots and plaque with gastritis, peptic ulcer, enterocolitis

Since the language is one of the organs of the digestive system, the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract almost always appear on the mucous membrane of the tongue. At an acute and chronic gastritis the acid balance in a stomach is broken. If the acidity is reduced, the tongue has a bright pink color, a smooth surface with cracks. In case of increased acidity, acute gastritis is accompanied by a gray dense coating on the back of the tongue. Clinically, a person is concerned about dryness and unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, increased viscosity of saliva. Naturally, with an acute inflammatory disease of the stomach, there will be complaints of pain in the supragastric (epigastric) region of the prickling nature. Chronic gastritis is often accompanied by desquamative glossitis. The essence of this pathology lies in the sloughing (desquamation) of the epithelium, which leads to the formation of spots with a white edging. The rest of the back of the tongue is often covered with a white coating. A characteristic feature of desquamative glossitis is dynamism and impermanence. Foci of desquamation within a few hours can change shape, merge with each other, disappear and reappear. In this case, complaints from the gastrointestinal tract may not be observed. It is worth saying that enterocolitis and gastric ulcer are also accompanied by desquamative glossitis. However, with peptic ulcer of the stomach there is a significant symptomatology from the digestive tract, which allows us to easily identify the cause of the white plaque in the tongue. Enterocolitis is accompanied by the appearance of a touch of grayish-yellow color. With this disease, often observed attachment of fungal and bacterial infection.

Diagnosis of all diseases of the digestive tract begins with the collection of anamnesis. If there is a chronic pathology, then a version of the exacerbation of the disease is considered. Instrumental diagnosis involves gastroduodenoscopy, which allows you to assess the structure of the mucous membrane of the digestive system. Laboratory tests are conducted to identify the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is the cause of the occurrence of gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is advisable to determine acidity in the stomach with gastritis. The treatment of hypoacid and hyperacid gastritis has its own peculiarities. It is important to conduct differential diagnosis with candidosis glossitis. For this, a scraping is taken from the surface of the tongue, and the number of fungi of the genus Candida is determined.

Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the stomach is planned by a doctor as a gastroenterologist. Therapy is complex and multidirectional. Her list includes antibacterial therapy (De-nol), proton pump inhibitors (Omeprazole), a therapeutic diet (exclude fatty, fried, spicy, semi-finished foods), alternative treatment (decoction of marigold, chamomile, St. John's wort, millennia, connected in equals proportions). Homeopathy offers for the treatment of gastroduodenitis drug Gastritol, Gepar Sulfur, Antimonium krudum. Before using any medications, you should consult a specialist. After all, the use of many medications weakens the body and provokes the emergence of various complications.

[7], [8]

White bloom and stains in kidney disease

Kidney diseases are also accompanied by characteristic manifestations on the mucous membrane of the tongue. Due to the violation of the function of excretion, many substances remain in the body, causing it to be poisoned. The toxic effect of nitrogen compounds leads to disruption of the digestive, cardiovascular and nervous system, metabolic and nutritional deficiencies of cells. As a result, the mucous membrane of the tongue becomes bright red. Changing the properties of saliva leads to dry mouth, which in turn provokes a mechanical trauma to the tongue. Violation of regeneration processes is a prerequisite for the appearance of ulcers and foci of hyperkeratosis (white spots). In addition, the process of physiological desquamation of the epithelium is disrupted, which is manifested by the lining of the tongue of grayish-white color. Diagnosis of kidney disease does not cause problems for specialists. This is due to the fact that clinical manifestations in other organs occur only a short time after the onset of the disease. Therefore, the root cause of pathology is easy to identify. It is also worth mentioning that even a simple urine test can reveal abnormalities in kidney function.

Treatment of plaque and spots in the tongue is made only in parallel with the main therapy, which is aimed at eliminating the disease of the urological nature.

White coating and stains for allergies

Allergic reactions in the modern world are a global problem. Every third on the planet is allergic to any substance. This is due to the fact that the human body is weakened with each generation. Low-quality food, stress, passive lifestyle - this is only a small part of the reasons that increase the level of allergization of the population.

Contact medication allergy occurs with the use of medicines (mainly penicillins). In this condition, foci of hyperemia and atrophy of the papillae appear on the back of the tongue. This area can be surrounded by a white rim. Allergic reaction to tetracycline drugs is accompanied by the appearance of a grayish-brown plaque on the back of the tongue. In addition to visual manifestations, there are complaints of burning of the mucous membrane, dry mouth, a violation of the perception of taste. A person has a feeling that a white spot on the tongue hurts. If such symptoms are detected, it is necessary to immediately stop taking the drug and undergo a course of dissonant therapy.

Candidiasis glossitis

Candidiasis is a disease that is caused by fungi of the genus Candida. Being representatives of saprophyte flora, these microorganisms constantly inhabit the oral cavity. However, with a decrease in immunity, fungi become a parasitic type of existence. This allows them to increase the number of colonies and become more resistant to the protective forces of the body.

Candidiasis is often observed in infants. Immaturity of the protective structures of the body provokes the occurrence of fungal diseases. The first signs of a fungal lesion are a baby crying, refusal to eat, a bad dream. On examination, you can notice reddening of the mucous membrane and white coating on the tongue. The plaque is removed without difficulty, under it remains undamaged mucous membrane. In adolescents and adults, candidiasis proceeds according to the same principle as in infants. The only difference is that with age, the likelihood of chronic disease increases. It is also worth noting that the severity of the clinical picture in adults is lower than that of children. There are several types of candidiasis: pseudomembranous, atrophic and hyperplastic. All variants of the current have a common origin, but each of them differs in some features in the clinical picture. Pseudomembranous candidiasis is characterized by the appearance of plaque in the form of white films, which are easily removed when scraping. Atrophic candidiasis is characterized by a bright reddening of the mucous membrane, dry mouth and a relatively small amount of white plaque. Hyperplastic candidiasis is unique in that the plaque is formed in the form of papules that can merge into separate foci. Thus there are spots in the tongue. In chronic hyperplastic candidiasis, the plaque may not be completely removed, which distinguishes it from other forms of fungal lesions. This disease is considered a precancerous condition, so it should be given special attention. Diagnosis of candidiasis rarely causes difficulties. It is much more difficult to determine what became the cause of its development. In order to find out what caused the plaque or stains in the tongue, scraping and laboratory testing should be done. The material must be taken in the morning. Before this manipulation, it is contraindicated to conduct hygiene of the oral cavity, drink, eat food. This all can reduce the number of colonies, thus provoking a false negative result.

Treatment of candidiasis depends on the severity of the disease. If the disease is mild, then local therapy can be limited. For this, antifungal ointments are used: Nystatin, Levorin, Natamycin. Rinsing solutions are also used: Lugol's solution diluted 2-3 times, Clotrimazole, Afmothericin. If the form of candidiasis is severe, then a general antifungal therapy will be required: fluconazole, ketoconazole, etc. In cases of severe candidiasis, additional diagnostic manipulations should be performed. It is necessary to identify the risk factors that triggered the development of the disease. In the first place, a careful history is made. This allows you to reduce the range of possible pathologies. When there are about 5 most likely factors, studies are performed to confirm or exclude them. Such analyzes can be an immunogram, a test for the intestinal microflora, fibrogastroduodenoscopy, analysis for TORCH infection, etc.

[9], [10], [11], [12]

Red flat lichen

This is a chronic disease in which the lesion is the papule.

The cause of this disease is unknown to date. However, the occurrence of this disease is associated with violations of carbohydrate metabolism, permanent stress, accumulation of metabolic products in the body and systemic diseases of various organs and systems.

Depending on the clinical picture, red lichen planus (CPL) is divided into 5 forms: papular, linear, mesh, ring-shaped and pigmented. When papular form occurs the appearance of small spots (papules) on the surface of the tongue. The size of the formation varies within 1-2 mm. Elements of defeat have a whitish hue, can be located singly or in groups. Perhaps spontaneous disappearance of spots and repeated recurrence of the disease. Most often no other symptoms are observed. If they are, they are most likely caused by a concomitant disease. The linear form is observed on the lateral surfaces of the tongue. The name of the subspecies already suggests that the formations have a linear (strip-like) structure and slightly rise above the level of surrounding tissues. Most often this form of red lichen is found in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The mesh form arises from the fusion of papules into a pattern that resembles a mesh. Such a clinical picture is called "Wickham grid" and is characteristic only for red flat lichen. The ring-shaped form is characterized by the appearance of annular formations, which have a white color. This pathology is very similar to the geographical language and desquamative glossitis. However, the distinctive feature of CPL is the stable location and shape of the elements of the lesion. The pigmentary form of red flat lichen occurs in people who work with various chemicals. The most common cause of its occurrence is intoxication with metals. In this case, white spots appear on the root of the tongue, in its middle or under the tongue. Elements of defeat have a grayish-whitish color, sometimes with a blue tinge. Other symptoms, except the appearance of spots, may not be observed. Exudative-hyperemic form differs from others only in the presence of a pronounced inflammatory reaction. The mucous membrane becomes swollen, acquires a bright red color, on it the Wickham mesh appears. When palpation marked sharp soreness. A person is concerned about burning, itching, mucous pain and increased saliva viscosity. If the inflammatory process is not stopped in time, it will pass into a ulcerative-necrotic form.

Diagnosis of red flat lichen is quite difficult. This is due to the presence of many types of this disease, which have a different manifestation. As a result, CPL is easily confused with leukoplakia, candidiasis, various glossitis. Therefore, differential diagnosis of this disease can cause difficulties. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a histological study, which will reveal the hyperkeratosis of cells, dystrophy and calf Sevatta.

The principles of treatment of red lichen planus are constantly being improved. New research, experiments and clinical experience allow the introduction of effective techniques that yield a positive therapeutic result. The list of groups of drugs that are used to treat CPL include: sedatives, antihistamines, corticosteroids, adaptogens, phytopreparations. Diet therapy and stabilization of sleep regimen are also very important for achieving the desired result.

Prevention

Prevention of the appearance of white spots in the language is possible only in cases when it comes to pathological processes. After all, physiological plaque is eliminated without special procedures and does not need to be prevented. If we talk about the spots and plaque that occur with glossitis, leukoplakia, candidiasis, CPL and other diseases, we should adhere to several main rules. First, you need to control your level of immunity. If you know that it is lowered, then consult an immunologist who, if necessary, will prescribe an immunocorrection course. Also worth mentioning about the gastrointestinal tract, with the diseases of which often there are white spots in the tongue. Only eat healthy foods and eat. The general rule of prevention for all diseases is working on your emotional state. After all, stress is a risk factor for most diseases. As for the CPL and the geographical language, the situation here is somewhat different. Specific prevention against these diseases does not exist. Therefore, it remains only to lead a healthy lifestyle, and the likelihood of developing these pathologies will decrease. According to statistics, the forecast of white spots on the language is most often favorable. However, this applies primarily to those diseases that were considered in the article. 

Forecast

A favorable prognosis does not mean that the condition of the mucous tongue does not require the intervention of a specialist. As mentioned earlier, leukoplakia is a subtle, but precancerous condition. Under certain conditions, this education may be malignant. It is also worth noting that in the article only the most common states with white spots in the language were considered. Rare syndromes and specific pathologies also have a place to be. Therefore, you should be attentive to your body and consult with specialists. Be healthy!