I had a protected sexual encounter with a person of unknown sexual status in 2007 October. After this incident I suffered for 1 whole year because of the fear that I had caught HIV. I could not handle the mental stress anymore and decided to get an HIV test in October 2008. My test result was negative and I was happy for some time. However, conditions which came up in my mouth and tongue before the test and afterwards have generated new fears within me.
Around 2008 august, I had a pain on the left side of the tongue.(the border line between the top of the tongue and the left side of the tongue). The pain went away gradually but something like a hard white bump/skin (about 1cm width) appeared on where the pain was. I tried to remove it but couldn’t. The Hard white bump/skin disappeared after about 10 days.
I did an HIV test as mentioned above and it was negative.
After this test, the condition I mentioned above re-appeared in 2008 November. Again it disappeared after about 10 days. Afterwards, I closely examined my tongue and now I see a white line (like skin) running on the left side of the tongue (maybe this was there from a long time). However it is not hard like what appeared before. Also the right side (the border line between the top of the tongue and the right side of the tongue) of my tongue appears ridged (irregular) & the ridges are kind of white. I also see that there is a kind of whiteness beneath the right and left sides of the tongue. These new conditions are still there.
I have started worrying that this is oral hairy leukoplakia and I am doubting my negative HIV result. I went to see an ENT and told him about the hard white bump/skin that appeared and the rest of the conditions on my tongue. He examined my tongue and told me not to worry and that it was probably due to a vitamin deficiency. He gave me vitamin B complex syrup and told me to brush my teeth at least twice a day. I used to brush my teeth only once a day before. i asked if it looked like leukoplakia & he said no.
Also I have a condition called mucocele in my mouth (Inside the lower lip)
The doctor told me that a salivary gland has been blocked and it is harmless and can be removed surgically if necessary
What keeps me worried is that the hard white bump/skin on the left side of my tongue was not present when the ENT examined me. Could he have predicted on something that was there before by looking at the current state of my tongue?
Also I’m worried because I have never had any mouth/tongue conditions like this ever before. Maybe these conditions are just due to high amounts of mental stress ?
Hello, there!
It is difficult to give you a diagnosis wihtout having a proper look. I am sure that the ENT specialist would have picked it up. I am sure that your HIV test is reliable and it has nothing to do with it. There are many causes for the kind of symptoms that you describe, such vitamin A or B defficiency, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral thrush, etc.
Does it look like in the photograph? That is a typical leukoplakia.
If it persists, you should probably be seen by an Oral Surgeon. Even your dentist might be able to give you some advice, as they are very experienced in looking inside of mouths.
Best wishes,
Jose
The problem is that the last time the rough white skin like stuff appeared about two months ago. It disappeared within 2 weeks. I was not that concerned at that time & only later did I remember this. If it appears again I will see it.
Do you know if oral hairy leukoplakia disappears within 2 weeks of appearing ? (If the person is not under hiv/aids drugs)
Is there usually a pain on the tongue before it appears ?
The fact that it has disappeared is a very good sign and probbly nothing to worry about. It is the ones that persist and never go away, the ones to worry about. They can go on their own after a couple of weeks, and they cause some discomfort but not usually pain. If it has disappered spontaneously, there is no relation with HIV.
Best wishes,
Jose
problem on tongue and mouth
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