Introduction
Red patches on the palate are caused by different diseases and can therefore be an indication of various conditions. In most cases, red spots on the palate do not occur alone, but the patient has additional symptoms, which together indicate the corresponding disease. There are various causes that can lead to red spots on the palate.
Probably the most harmless cause of red spots on the palate are food intolerances such as lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance. The food we eat, which our body cannot tolerate, can cause the immune system in our throat and palate to be activated. This is called the Waldeyer’s pharyngeal ring, which consists of an accumulation of several small and sometimes larger lymphatic nodes.
The paired almonds (tonsils) also belong to this group. If a patient eats food that he or she cannot tolerate (e.g. nut allergies), the lymphatic system in the throat may be activated. In addition, the mucous membrane on the palate can also be irritated, which in turn can lead to red spots on the palate.
If a patient notices these red spots on the palate, usually combined with a tingling sensation in the tongue/mouth area, it is likely that the patient has a food intolerance or an allergy. Another very common cause of red spots on the palate is an infection, usually with the bacterium streptococcus. A streptococcus infection also activates the lymphatic system in our throat area.
Since the mucous membranes in the hard and soft palate are additionally irritated, this can lead to the formation of red spots on the palate. Another cause of red spots on the palate is scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that mainly affects small children but also children.
Scarlet fever is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes and can reappear in adulthood even after the child has gone through the disease, as there is no lasting immunity, unlike measles, for example. Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by so-called streptococcus bacteria and often affects children between 4-10 years of age. However, scarlet fever can also cause infection in adults or infants.
In addition to the appearance of signs of inflammation in the mouth, red spots on the palate and throat can also appear in scarlet fever. Characteristically, scarlet fever is characterized by the so-called “strawberry tongue” in addition to the infection in the mouth area. The appearance of the tongue is compared to a strawberry: The tongue is strongly reddened.
In addition, the small papillae on the tongue become more prominent. Symptoms are also typical in the face. There is a reddening of the cheeks and a paleness that can be seen around the mouth.
In addition, after about two days a fine spotted rash appears, which initially appears on the neck and then spreads over the rest of the body. The rash is then strongly found in the groin region. If, in addition to the red spots on the palate, these symptoms typical of scarlet fever also occur, a doctor should be consulted to assess the course of the disease and possibly initiate treatment with antibiotics.
Red spots on the palate can sometimes occur in acute HIV disease. Fresh (acute) infection often leads to flu-like symptoms. Since the throat and pharynx are also inflamed, the palate can also be affected by the inflammation and show red spots.
In addition, there is usually a whitish greyish coating on swollen tonsils and swollen lymph nodes in the neck area. Nevertheless, this accumulation of symptoms can also be an infection of the Eppstein-Barr virus, which causes the disease “Pfeiffersches glandular fever”. To be on the safe side, however, a doctor should be consulted – especially if the symptoms mentioned above occur and a previous unprotected sexual intercourse (without a condom) has taken place.
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