Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

White Bumps Inside Mouth and Swollen Glands

09/27/2011

Question:

Hi, I`ve had white bumps appearing on the inside of my mouth for a few days now. They are small but raised enough where I can bite some off with my teeth. They don`t appear to be in any particular cluster or pattern. They don`t hurt particularly much but I can say some have been mildly uncomfortable. They line the insides of my cheeks but I also feel them on my gums every once in a while. Some seem to just disappear relatively quickly but others linger a bit longer.

It also looks like my lingual tonsils are red and swollen. It feels like my lymph nodes are swollen too. These are the only things that present any real discomfort.

Nothing appears to be forming on the outside of my lips.

Answer:

Have you had this problem evaluated by your primary care provider?  Do you have a fever or any other sign or symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, cough, nausea or vomiting, malaise?
 
I also think you mean Pharyngeal tonsils not lingual tonsils as the lingual tonsils can be kind of difficult to evaluate without a mirror by oneself.

The “white bumps” you mention, how large are they and what do the contents look like when you rupture them? When they rupture do they leave a small ulceration? How long has this problem been occurring?

You could be describing the signs and symptoms of a number of diseases and without actually seeing you and examining the “white bumps” and other problems mentioned I can only suggest that you have this evaluated.

Your problem may be an allergic reaction, fungal infection, or may be an enterovirus (i.e.herpangina, coxsackievirus, hand foot and mouth disease, lynphonodular pharyngitis) and require a combination of clinical assessments and laboratory analysis to diagnosis. Herpetic infections, although a possibility, generally occur with a number of other pathognomonic signs. Again, if this persists I would recommend that you have this examined by your primary care provider.  

For more information:

Go to the Mouth Diseases health topic.