I just noticed a red patch on the right front of my tongue . Under it inside the tongue is what feels like a firm, hard,tender lump the size of a pea or almond . It is inside the tongue just off center and you can feel it between your fingers. What is the anatomy of a tongue? Is it supposed to be entirely smooth? What could this be?
Dear Concerned., Thanks for writing to us. The red patch on the tongue anterior right side could be due to any of the following ;A)Benign geographic tongue; An innocent lesion. To be left as it is as it is painless and symptom free. B)Riboflavin Deficiency;-To be supplemented with B-Complex or multivitamins.(C)Infective Etiology ;in addition local application of choline salicylate/benzalkonium chloride/lidocaine gel will relieve your pain if in addition infected. An antiseptic Betadine mouth gargling can also be done. D)Erythroplakia;It is a REDDISH SEVENTY THICK pre-malignant lesion occurs in people with predispositions such as Smoking/Spirit Consumption/Spicy food/Sharp tooth impinging/Syphilis In any case the diagnosis is established only after HPE(Hist path examination) report is obtained after Biopsy of the lesion and the lump and then further treatment can be instituted by a General Surgeon. Wishing you a quick recovery, Best regards., Chat Doctor. 