Small red bumps on the back of your throat usually come with other symptoms that can help to diagnose your condition. According to the Family Doctor website, an allergy or a bacterial or viral infection are the most likely causes. You might have a sore throat, fever and pain when swallowing when you have a rash in your throat.
Types
Common infections that cause red bumps, inflammation, sore throat and rash include tonsillitis caused by a bacterial or viral infection that infects the tonsils. Mononucleosis is a viral infection passed from person to person through the Epstein-Barr virus. Strep throat, caused by the Streptococcus bacteria, often mimics the symptoms of tonsillitis. Hay fever and allergies to environmental toxins can cause the reaction.
Diagnosis
Once your doctor has verified all your symptoms and taken a history of other skin conditions you might have experienced, he usually will perform diagnostic tests. A rapid strep test can tell if you have strep throat, while a throat culture can help to pinpoint the cause of the infection and tell whether it's viral or bacterial. A blood test can diagnose mononucleosis, another condition that presents with a sore throat and inflammation.
Treatments
A viral infection does not respond to antibiotics; it usually just has to run its course. Home remedies and over-the-counter pain relievers can ease the discomfort for the seven to 10 days it takes for the virus to pass. If you have a bacterial infection, antibiotics typically help you feel better and reduce the red bumps within a couple days.
Warning
If the red bumps and sore throat do not respond to antibiotics and continue unabated, your doctor might order a biopsy of the rash. According to the National Cancer Institute, a lump in your throat that doesn't go away, coupled with difficulty swallowing and hoarseness, can indicate the presence of cancer, including larynx or pharynx cancer or cancer in the lymph nodes.
Risks
The Epstein-Barr virus and longtime exposure to wood dust can lead to nasopharynx cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to asbestos can lead to larynx cancer. Tobacco and alcohol abuse are the major contributors to most cases of cancer in the throat, however. People who use both are at the greatest risk for developing cancer in some area of the mouth or throat.
