Question:

My mouth was sore and noticed white patches on roof and back of mouth. Dr tested for strep but was negative. The condition remains but now have small red bumps on inside of lower lip and noticed some in the white patches inside my mouth. What is this?

Answer:

First off, what did the primary care person who actually observed this problem think?

How long has this been occurring? Is it episodic or chronic?

Are you on any medications? Have you been on antibiotics recently?

Do you smoke?

What allergies do you know of or have you changed your toothpaste or mouthrinse?

Without actually seeing what is occurring I can only speculate on the possibilities.

The white patches you describe, can they be rubbed off? How large are they, are they sensitive only to touch or are they painful only with touching them?

Since the primary care person ruled out Strep infection this may be viral in origin, (you could have an HSV or VZV infection).

Have you been evaluated for mononucleosis?

The lip lesions may be irritated minor salivary glands or a mucosal response to an irritant or allergen.

If the white lesions can be rubbed off you may have an oral yeast infection, but again, I cannot make a judgment without seeing it. I therefore suggest that you return to your primary care provider and/or dentist to have this problem evaluated.

For more information:

Go to the Mouth Diseases health topic.