Spotty tongue??? What could it be?

[mosschops30]

ds was just with me at a friends house when he started crying and said his tongue hurts. He poked it out and on the end are lots of little white spots/ulcers.

No temp, eating and drinking well, anyone got any ideas??

Has he ever had a coldsore - and has he been with anyone with a coldsore recently?

And - how old is he?
Does he have any spots on his feet or hands?
Has he had a fever recently?
has he had a sore throat recently?

he's 4
no contact with coldsores AFAIK
Fever over a week ago when he had a cold
Ditto sore throat but we're talking almost two weeks ago

'Strawberry' tongue can indicate the onset of a Strep infection, like Scarlet Fever.

OK.

A primary herpes infection (which follows a coldsore exposure) is usually manefested by many (DD had 20+) ulcers INSIDE the mouth. It is preceded by a (usually) VERY high temp. It doesn't quite fit with this as the temp was too long ago I think; and there is no known exposure.

Scarlet fever can follow a sore throat. This is acompanied with a "strawberry" tongue - which TBH is less like you describe. It also has a rash on the body - which is stronger in the wamr folds of the skin such as armpits, groin. The rash looks like sunburn in colour and is goosebumpy/sandpapery in texture.

So perhaps the most likely is Hand Foot and Mouth (which I believe can occur without hand and foot). This manefests with blisters & ulcers in the mouth.

So - nothing definately but some options.

As far as treatment - you can use anbesol 10-20mins before a meal to numb the pain (don't use bonjela as it is no longer suitable for under 12's). If he is really struggling with eating yoghurts are easy to eat, reasonably nutritious and actually quite soothing. Avoid foods with an acidic content - like citrus fruits.

He's not struggling to eat anything and doesnt seem to fit any of those you listed.

Just unsure as to whether to take him to the doctors tonight whilst still open?
He seems quite happy now he's had some paracetamol

Just had another look, they are almost yellowish, and still loads all in a cluster

Sounds like the sort of blistering/ulcering you get with herpes and HF&M - so I think it is probably viral (as they are both viral - and many viruses give a simialr rash).

Obviously if you are unhappy then there is nothing to harm from taking to GP.

Does sound like it could be Hand, Foot and Mouth to me.

Dd had scarlet fever (with strawberry tongue a few weeks ago and was extremely ill with it, so I doubt it is that.

Hand, foot and mouth look very like mouth ulcers in this picture.

Could it just be plain mouth ulcers? They can be very painful.

no doesnt look like either of those.

have phoned GP who says it could be start of a cold (unlikely seeing as he's just had one) or he may have burnt it on something (possibly as wolfed dinner down last night without moaning as he does usually)

Fingers crossed will not become anything more serious
Thanks for all your speedy replies