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Original poster

Oral wart in teenager?

20 replies

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 08/08/2023 13:47

Took DS to GP this morning as thought he had a persistent mouth ulcer (over 4 weeks). Have left with an urgent 2 week referral to maxillofacial to investigate whether it’s something sinister or an oral wart/verrucca.

Has anyone had experience of this, either as an adult or with their child? He is definitely not sexually active (I’m as sure as any parent could be on that front!) so how would he have oral warts? I think I’m just scrabbling for answers - must step away from Dr Google!

OP posts:
itendswithus · 08/08/2023 13:57

I'm not clued up in oral warts sorry, however we have had an urgent referral for our teenager for 2 long standing mouth ulcers and the request was put in at the beginning of March and her appointment is September so be prepared to fight.

Watch out for other symptoms. Our DD has just been diagnosed with severe chrons which is 99% the reason for her ulcers the doctors think so if he has got anything else going on, document and go to the GP.

Good luck!!

Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 08/08/2023 14:30

Thanks so much for the reply, I hope the appointment in September is useful! That’s really interesting about Chron’s, I’ll bear it in mind. The GP seemed pretty certain that DS’s isn’t an ulcer which is why we needed the ‘urgent’ referral.

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Papernotplastic · 08/08/2023 14:38

Does he have verrucas on his feet or a wart on his hand? Picking at/touching them and then hand to mouth could spread the virus.

MillicentBystandr · 08/08/2023 14:43

If HPV is active, you can pass it on by tongue kissing.

Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 08/08/2023 15:20

Papernotplastic · 08/08/2023 14:38

Does he have verrucas on his feet or a wart on his hand? Picking at/touching them and then hand to mouth could spread the virus.

No warts on hands and no noticeable veruccas on feet. As a kid he used to bite his toenails (yes I know, disgusting) but he grew out of that many years ago! Unless he still secretly does it in his bedroom 🤢

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Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 08/08/2023 15:23

MillicentBystandr · 08/08/2023 14:43

If HPV is active, you can pass it on by tongue kissing.

Ah ok… would that mean he would have been kissing someone who might be sexually active? He and the people he hangs around with are all only 12/13, I hope that’s not the case.

I sound completely uneducated here (probably because I am) but they recently had a jab at school that I thought was HPV related - is this the same thing?

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postitnot · 08/08/2023 18:15

Can you put a picture of it on here?
Does it always look the same, or does it sometimes swell up and 'pop' a bit?

Onceuponatimethen · 08/08/2023 18:18

Has he been taking ibuprofen by any chance? This gave my ds extreme mouth ulcers. None since he stopped taking it.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 08/08/2023 18:36

I had what looked like a wart removed from my throat last year, maxillofacial surgeon said it was HPV when they had it tested.

But if your DC isn't snogging/having sex it's unlikely to be.

Powerfulpam · 08/08/2023 19:48

I’d suggest trying to see your dentist in the meantime. They’ll be much better placed to give you a provisional diagnosis and provide advice.

Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 08/08/2023 20:11

Thanks everyone for the input.

Not a great photo but gives an idea of location and size.

He’s not taken any ibuprofen, still struggles to swallow tablets so only has occasional Calpol.

Dentist appointment is a good idea, he’s due a check up in a month anyway but will see if we can move it forward.

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Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 08/08/2023 20:14

Moredarkchocolateplease · 08/08/2023 18:36

I had what looked like a wart removed from my throat last year, maxillofacial surgeon said it was HPV when they had it tested.

But if your DC isn't snogging/having sex it's unlikely to be.

I honestly don’t think he has been, but obviously could be wrong. He is a pretty immature just-turned 13 - he and his mates play Mario Kart and go out playing Pokémon Go! I did ask earlier if he’s been kissing anyone and he said “urgh disgusting” the way a 10 year old might 😂

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Moredarkchocolateplease · 08/08/2023 20:43

Yes, I have a 13yr old and he is intrigued by the idea but I think it'll be a few years yet!!!!

I hope you get it resolved soon.

Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 10/08/2023 14:24

Moredarkchocolateplease · 08/08/2023 20:43

Yes, I have a 13yr old and he is intrigued by the idea but I think it'll be a few years yet!!!!

I hope you get it resolved soon.

Yes I’m quietly relieved that he’s in no rush to go down that path!

We had a letter saying the referral was incorrectly made to ENT so now waiting for GP to re-refer to max fax. Frustrating!

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user1471530109 · 10/08/2023 14:29

OP, my DD (10) is going to the dentist today with the same thing! She says it doesn't hurt. It's not as big as your ds' but she's also had it for weeks.

I will let you know what they say. unfortunately I'm relying on xh to take her so I am likely to get a garbled answer and only once I nag 😡.

TinkerbellefromYorkshire · 10/08/2023 14:40

Look up Canker sores.
Had he been chewing the sore or inside his lip?
If he's not active in kissing ( or any other sort of contact ) it won't be caused by the HPV virus.. which is what usually causes mouth warts.

Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 10/08/2023 14:54

user1471530109 · 10/08/2023 14:29

OP, my DD (10) is going to the dentist today with the same thing! She says it doesn't hurt. It's not as big as your ds' but she's also had it for weeks.

I will let you know what they say. unfortunately I'm relying on xh to take her so I am likely to get a garbled answer and only once I nag 😡.

Oh I hope you get some helpful answers! Everything online says ulcers should go away by themselves within a couple of weeks so good to get it checked out.

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Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 10/08/2023 14:59

TinkerbellefromYorkshire · 10/08/2023 14:40

Look up Canker sores.
Had he been chewing the sore or inside his lip?
If he's not active in kissing ( or any other sort of contact ) it won't be caused by the HPV virus.. which is what usually causes mouth warts.

Thanks for the suggestion! Is a canker sore the same things as a mouth ulcer? The GP seemed fairly sure it’s not an ulcer as it’s so raised, more like a wart or (god forbid) some other kind of growth.

He is pretty convincing that he’s not been kissing anyone! But who knows. He wasn’t chewing it at the start as it was painful, will check that he’s not bothering with it now.

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user1471530109 · 10/08/2023 16:50

Dentist has told xh nothing to worry about and DD must be biting it so it's not healing. They can remove it if it doesn't heal in a month? This is all I've been sent 🙄.

It is much smaller than your pic though. And very much like a small spot.

I think get the dentist to have a look at your ds would be a good idea.

Original poster
TheWildRumpyPumpus · 10/08/2023 19:05

user1471530109 · 10/08/2023 16:50

Dentist has told xh nothing to worry about and DD must be biting it so it's not healing. They can remove it if it doesn't heal in a month? This is all I've been sent 🙄.

It is much smaller than your pic though. And very much like a small spot.

I think get the dentist to have a look at your ds would be a good idea.

I’m glad your daughter’s is nothing to worry about! Hopefully we will have answers soon too.

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