Tongue Pimples

What specialist diagnoses and treats diseases of the tongue?

c have had a white, rough bump on the right side of my tongue that comes and goes. It is quite painful and seems to be a precurser to my feeling fatigued and sick. I got a staph infection from a hospitalization in 2002 and my immune system has been compromised according to my primary physician. I have seen an oral surgeon but he hasn't been available when my symptoms were presenting. He said that I was obsessed with my tongue and that it is a psychological issue. My family and friends have all seen my tongue and think that the oral surgeon is not professional, condescending and sexist. I do not want to go back to that practice and need advice. I also should mention that I gave up smoking two years ago. The area of my tongue that is affected is where I placed the cigarette on my lips. I am afraid that this might be something serious and I'm at a loss as to where to turn to next. I appreciate any advice that you could give me.

Public Comments

1. Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor.
2. Try going to an Ear, Nose, Throat doctor. Ask that they take a biopsy of the spot on your tongue.
3. It is probably a recurring fever blister. You may be obsessed with your tongue because you are worried greatly by it. The doctor you should see is not a surgeon, but an ear, eyes and nose specialist.
4. You need an ENT specialist (otorhinolarygologist). You're right, it could be serious, and an ENT can let you know if it is or not. In fact, what you describe is oral cancer until proven otherwise. Get yourself seen, and soon!
5. The Otolaryngologist is the specialist you should see first. If you smoke you should quit, you should wash your mouth normally in the morning and at bedtime, also after every meal. Do not provide oral sex. After the specialist sees you, if he does not find anything, your internist or general practitioner can keep on eye on you every month for 2-3 months, then every 6 months for a year. He will do your basic blood tests and rule out any general condition that maybe afecting your tongue.