I've been dealing with a scratchy throat that keeps coming and going for the last six months. It doesn't really hurt or cause major issues, just feels a bit rough sometimes. Plus, for the past two months, I've noticed my papillae are inflamed, which might be why I have this white coating on my tongue. I've visited ENT specialists, but the antibiotics they prescribe don't make a difference. The scratchy throat seems to come and go, but the inflamed papillae and that scrappable white coating on my tongue aren't going away. What could be causing these symptoms? Should I be worried or try something different?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Chandra P

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

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It sounds like you might be dealing with chronic irritation, possibly due to post-nasal drip or a mild infection, which can lead to a scratchy throat and inflamed papillae. The white coating on your tongue, which is scrappable, could indicate a fungal overgrowth or poor oral hygiene. If antibiotics aren't helping, it might be worth revisiting the ENT specialist for a more targeted approach, such as antifungal treatment or addressing any underlying reflux or immune system factors.

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Answered 04/07/2025

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