Canker sores and oral lichen planus are conditions that you may develop on your tongue. Both conditions occur with white and red inflammation. Cankers are painful, open sores in your mouth or on your tongue. Cankers are non-cancerous white or yellow lesions surrounded by a bright red area. Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that affects mucous membranes inside your mouth.
Canker Triggers
Canker sores are a form of ulcer that may form in your mouth. According to the National Institutes of Health, these sores may be linked to problems with your immune system. Canker sores may develop after mouth injuries that occur during dental work, aggressive tooth cleaning or biting your tongue or cheek. Emotional stress and dietary deficiencies in iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 can trigger canker sores. Menstrual periods, hormonal changes, food allergies and viral infections may also trigger canker sores.
Canker Symptoms
The first symptom of canker sores is usually a tingling or burning sensation. You may get a painful red spot on your tongue that develops into an open ulcer around 1 cm wide or larger. The center of the canker may be white or yellow. The lighter portion of the ulcer is surrounded by a red and inflamed border. Less common symptoms include fever and swollen lymph nodes. Canker sores may also appear on the inner surface of your cheeks and lips, soft palate and the base of your gums.
Lichen Planus Triggers
Liver infections like hepatitis C may trigger lichen planus. Flu and hepatitis B vaccines can trigger lichen planus. Medications that are used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure or arthritis may trigger lichen planus. You may experience this condition with certain allergens such as foods or dental materials. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can also trigger this condition.
Lichen Planus Symptoms
Lichen planus on your tongue occurs with white raised patches of tissue that may look lacy. Red, swollen and tender patches of tissue may develop on your tongue. You may also develop open sores on your tongue. You may experience these symptoms inside your cheeks, on your gums, inside your throat or inside your esophagus. The red, inflamed lesions and open oral lichen planus sores may cause a burning sensation or pain. The white and lacy patches may only cause discomfort when they appear on the tongue.
Treatments
Most canker sores do not require treatment. You can treat canker sores at home with a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water and apply the mixture directly to the canker with a cotton swab. Dab a small amount of Milk of Magnesia on the canker sore with a swab, three to four times a day. Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation that occurs with oral lichen planus. Retinoids are synthetic versions of vitamin A that you can apply to lichen planus leisions as a topical ointment or oral supplement. Calcineurin inhibitor medications such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus may effectively treat oral lichen planus.
