my friend has a white patch on her tongue that sometimes has a small ulcer on it. What is the cause of this?
597027
COULD BE MANY THINGS,IF IS THE ONLY THAT SHE HAS,SEE FOR INMUDEFICIENCY,FUNGUS,CANCER,SEE YOUR DOCTOR.FAMILY PRACTICE FIRST.
1186687
A WHITE TONGUE IS USUALLY CALLED "THRUSH"  IT IS A YEAST INFECTION.  YOU NEED TO BRUSH YOUR TONGUE DAILY AND TAKE ANTIBIOTICS FOR THE INFECTION.
236615
yeah that sounds like gastric ulcer this means that there has been a  puncture created by acid from ur stomach cells in ur stomach. this is going to allow the acid whiich has a pH of abt 2 to trickle little by little in the space and affect other organs causing irritaions. better see a doc quick.
68000
Could be strep throat or just stress related. Take her to a practioner ASAP, as it also could be a serious earnose/throat infection.
1141248
If you haven't already, please take her to the hospital.  This sounds like she may have a gastrointestinal bleed, like from an ulcer.  I doubt it's diabetes related.  But if she continues to lose fluids this way she can go into metabolic acidosis.  Not to scare you, but this can lead to seizures, coma, or different heart arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia - very serious, deadly).  Please seek medical attention now.
594637
Ulcers are caused by the H. Pylori bacteria.
106805
Could be a yeast infection.  And it depends on how long and often it happens.  She may have it for life because of her genes or what not.  There are several over the counter medications for this. but she should go see her doctor because it could be anything.  But that is what my yeast infections were like when i was that young.  Tell your friend i say good luck and if she is itchy or burning there....there is a cream that was god sent!!!!
889092
Yes it is called Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease--yes I'm serious,  do a Google search on it.  An allergic reaction can also cause your tongue to swell--be careful!  Sometimes if you have a bad throat infection your tongue can become inflamed.  An iron deficiency can cause tongue swelling as well.
765938
From this Mayo clinic website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/geographic-tongue/DS00819\n\n"The tongue is normally covered with a layer of small bumps (papillae). Geographic tongue results when these projections are missing in certain areas of the tongue. The papillae loss creates smooth, red patches on the tongue, giving it a map-like, or geographic, appearance.\n\nTreatment: "Medical treatment isn't necessary for geographic tongue. The condition usually resolves on its own within months, but it can last a year or more. After which time, the tongue returns to its normal appearance. Though sometimes uncomfortable, the condition is harmless.\n\nIf you're bothered by soreness or a burning sensation, it may help to avoid the following items that can aggravate the condition:\n\n    * Hot or spicy foods\n    * Acidic foods and beverages\n    * Alcohol\n    * Tobacco\n\nIn addition, some types of toothpaste that contain tartar-control additives, heavy flavoring or whitening agents may worsen geographic tongue. "
705194
Ulcers in the mouth are often caused by stress and a poor diet , which may also be causing the acne. Address your diet and stress levels.
113240
While you’re problem could indeed many caused by any number of things\n\nsuch as allergy, etc, if you have what I suspect you have it is called\n\nGeographic Tongue (Benign Migratory Glossitis). Why do I suspect this\n\nand not something else? Simple, because I suffer from it too and I’ve\n\nalready educated myself about it extensively, so I know exactly what\n\nyou are going through. Fortunately though my condition didn’t manifest\n\nuntil I was in my early 40’s so I haven’t had to deal with it all my\n\nlife.\n\n\n\nGeographic Tongue is actually a dermatological condition of the mouth.\n\nIt is a benign condition where there is a map-like appearance to the\n\ntongue resulting from irregular denuded patches in the surface (loss\n\nof tongue papillae). In many people the malady is secondary to local\n\nirritation from hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or tobacco. In other\n\nwords, an existing or acquired sensitivity to certain stimuli caused\n\nthe irritation and in some people it continues off and on for life.\n\n\n\nPeople who suffer from this relatively unimportant problem sometimes\n\nreport patchy areas on their tongue that resembles something similar\n\nto a map of the continents – hence the name, Geographic Tongue. These\n\npatches can be raised a bit or they can be slick and shiny. In rare\n\ncases some people even report cracking, burning or bleeding and\n\nblister on the tongue that can be alarming but these symptoms tend to\n\ncome and go. Physicians normally suggest a person identify foods and\n\nactivities that seem to bring about the worst symptoms and simply\n\navoid them. It is safe to assume that alcohol and tobacco are\n\nirritants and they should be avoided as well.\n\n\n\nThere are no real complications from Geographic Tongue and in really\n\nbad cases doctors do treat it. They sometimes prescribe topical\n\ncortisone preparations, like desoximetasone.\n\n\n\nHere are some discussions with people who suffer and doctors who treat\n\nthe condition:\n\n\n\nMEDHELP\n\nhttp://www.medhelp.org/forums/dermatology/messages/31717.html
415097
Sometimes halitosys is causes by bad teeth, or by not brushing you gums or taungue.Just hand them some breath mints they usually get the hint
140818
Lysine will help you a great deal with these.\n\nWatch out for acidic foods and chocolate. Chocolate has Argonne in it which has been proven to aggravate canker sores.\n\nPrevention and Natural Treatment of Canker Sores\nFrom Cathy Wong, N.D.,\nYour Guide to Alternative Medicine.\nFREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!\nCanker sores, also known as mouth ulcers, apthous stomatitis and ulcerative stomatitis, are small painful ulcerations that have yellow-gray centers and a red border. \n\nUsually 1-2mm wide, they occur on non-keratinized mucosa inside the mouth: the inner side of the lips, the tongue, the back and floor of the mouth and the wall of the cheeks. They do not occur on the lips, the gums or the hard roof of the mouth. Ulcers can be single or can occur in clusters.\n\nThe cause of canker sores is uncertain, however, associations with human herpesvirus 6, food sensitivities, stress, and nutrient deficiencies have been suggested. They generally take 1-2 weeks to heal and may recur monthly or several times per year. \n\nCanker sores must be differentiated from drug allergies, herpes simplex infection, Behcet's syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and squamous cell carcinoma. In some cases, biopsy of the ulcer may be necessary. \n\nConventional treatments include topical steroids, mouthwash, or an oral paste for symptomatic relief. In severe cases, systemic glucocorticoids may be prescribed.\n\nTherapeutic Considerations\n\n1) Avoid toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate\nSodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an irritant detergent commonly found in toothpaste. People with recurrent canker sores may benefit by switching to a brand of toothpaste that does not contain SLS, which is believed to abrade the protective mucus layer in the mouth and increase the likelihood of developing canker sores. \n\nResearch studies have found a decreased incidence of recurrent canker sores after two months of avoiding SLS, however, one double-blind study did not support this finding. \n\n2) Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL)\nDGL is the herb licorice that has had the glycyrrhizic acid removed, the portion that can increase blood pressure. In one research study, DGL was found to promote the healing of canker sores, with a 50-75% improvement in one day. This study used a mouthwash made of powdered DGL mixed with water. \n\nAlternately, DGL tablets can be chewed with water, swished in the mouth and swallowed.\n\n3) Identify and eliminate food sensitivities with an elimination and challenge diet\nFood sensitivities, especially to gluten-containing foods (wheat, rye, barley, oats), have been found clinically to be associated with recurrent canker sores. \n\nThe microscopic appearance of the sores and the increased antibodies to certain food antigens in some people with recurrent canker sores support this theory. Double-blind studies, however, have yet to confirm this.\n\n4) Decrease dietary intake of nitrites\nCured and processed meats, such as bacon, sausage and ham, are high in nitrites. One study found that the risk of esophageal cancer was seven times greater in individuals with a history of canker sores. The authors report that canker sores may be an indicator of a high conversion of nitrites to carcinogenic nitrosamines.\n\n5) Vitamin C\nVitamin C works directly against viruses and has been found to inhibit the herpes virus in vitro. In addition, it inhibits the formation of nitrosamines from dietary nitrites, found in bacon, ham, sausages and other processed meats, and from dietary nitrates, found in vegetables and other foods.\n\n6) Nutrient Deficiency\nThiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of canker sores. Other nutrients that have been found to be low in people with recurrent canker sores include riboflavin (vitamin B2), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and iron. A health practitioner can assess nutrient status. \n\nReferences \n\n1. Lininger S, Gaby A, Austin S, Brown DJ, Wright JV, Duncan A. The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd E
1095699
I get that, too.  I think it is a swollen taste bud.  It could have been injured by burning or too much sugar or biting it accidentally or something like that, or it could have gotten infected somehow.  I think the only way to get rid of it is to wait.
727502
An ulcer is basically a hole, so I'm not sure what you are describing.  What color is it?  Does it actually look like tissue with a hole in it?  Is it pink, or an off white solid mass like the little thing you can squeeze out of a corn kernal?  More info would be helpful.  I have a few notions as to what it is, but need more info.  Truly, though, a visit with your physician would be more informative than getting an answer from Y!A.
407735
I suggest you see a doctor.  NO ONE here can diagnose you and neither can a doctor without examining you and possibly running some tests.  If you have a geographical tongue, these could be normal for you.  Since you should (hopefully) know what your tongue looks like and never noticed them before, then you need to be checked as obviously the bumps are something new for you.\n\nStrep throat only affects the throat...not the tongue.  If you had thrush, you would know it because you'd see white patches inside the mouth  and on the tongue that look like cottage cheese or milk curds.\n\nIt is never wise to take antibiotics you have laying around when you have no idea what is wrong with you.  The wrong antibiotic can do more harm than good.\n\nIs it contagious?  Who the heck knows without having a formal diagnosis.  Until you see a doctor, I suggest you refrain from kissing and any other "stuff".
433933
Not enough to go on info wise. Could be an ulcer, could also be allergy or toxic intolerance. Either way it is fixable bit to be sure go see a doctor or Naturopath and get seen to properly.\n\ncraig - Naturopath.