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It's not unusual to have tongue bumps. Tongue bumps, also known as papillae, are generally common and cover the back of the tongue.1
These bumps are usually unnoticeable because they have a consistent color and texture. However, tongue bumps may sometimes look enlarged.
While swollen papillae may be a temporary condition, it can make eating, talking, swallowing, or tasting food difficult or painful.
There are four types of tongue bumps:
Irregular bumps on the back of your tongue can develop for various reasons:
A tongue injury may cause it to appear or feel rough. Like other parts of the body, the tongue may enlarge in response to an injury.
People who unintentionally bite their tongues may have a swollen lump for a few days following the incident. Another frequent cause of tongue injuries are burns from hot drinks or meals.
The tongue, gums, and lips may be irritated by certain foods or high-temperature foods such as sour, sweets, or very acidic foods. This may cause hard or rough patches to appear that persist for a few days.
Recent dietary changes may also be responsible for the discomfort, especially if the area feels sore and raw.
Bacteria may be found in even the healthiest mouths.
Any damage to the tongue may make it easier for bacteria to enter the tissues and cause an infection.
Swelling and discomfort in the afflicted area may result from the infection. It's critical to visit a doctor if your tongue swells after being bitten or due to a serious injury.
Canker sores are one of the most common types of mouth infections.2
They usually occur on the inside of the lips, although they may also show up on the tongue. The sores are typically red, white, or yellow and may be rough and unpleasant.
Most canker sores subside on their own. Others become very painful and may need medical attention.
Oral candidiasis or oral thrush is a yeast infection that affects the mouth and is characterized by bumps at the back of the tongue.3
Some people report a cottony feeling or a sensation of dryness (dry mouth). The fungus responsible for this infection grows in moist and dark places and is common among newborns.
Tuberculosis, abbreviated as TB, is a bacterial infection of the lungs.4 Some TB patients develop blisters and sores on their bodies. Sores may appear everywhere on the body, including the tongue.
Tuberculosis-related tongue lesions are very uncommon, although they may be the first sign of the disease in a newly infected individual.
Lie bumps, or transient lingual papillitis (TLP), are temporary inflammations on the tongue's papillae. These are small bumps that may be seen on the tongue's top surface.
Itching, acute sensitivity, or a burning feeling on the tongue are all symptoms of lie bumps.
Although their cause is not precisely known, lie bumps typically appear suddenly and go away without treatment.
In rare cases, a bump on your tongue could be a sign of tongue cancer.
If a tongue bump develops on the side of the tongue, it's more likely to be malignant, especially if it's hard and painless. A doctor should check out any lump or bump that lasts more than a week or two.
Food intolerances and allergic reactions may cause swelling on the tongue and create bumps. If your entire tongue swells suddenly, it may be due to a serious condition known as anaphylaxis.5
Seek immediate assistance if you experience swelling on the lips, tongue, and mouth, sudden rashes or hives, or difficulty breathing.
Syphilis is a contagious, curable but life-threatening bacterial infection.6 Coming into direct contact with syphilitic sores during oral intercourse may cause infection.
Early syphilis symptoms include sores on the tongue and mouth, primarily when syphilis is transmitted through oral sex.
Inflamed lumps on the tongue typically look bigger and swollen. They may also change color to white, bright pink, or black.
Other symptoms of tongue bumps include:
You don't need to see your doctor if the bumps on your tongue aren't bothering you (and you don't have a fever). Most mouth bumps heal on their own.
However, seek medical advice if you experience any of the following:
A doctor will first inquire about your medical history and any known allergies to determine what is causing your tongue bumps.
They will do a tongue exam to check for changes in taste bud color, texture, size, and abnormalities to help guide therapy.7
Your physician may also order blood tests to rule out other problems such as infection or disease. If the doctor suspects cancer, they will send you to a specialist who will either conduct a biopsy or remove the bump entirely.
Although some causes of tongue bumps require medical attention, home remedies can help. These include:
You should worry about bumps on your tongue if there is no improvement after trying home-based remedies. Keep an eye on the size, color, and spread of the tongue bumps while you treat them at home. If there is no improvement or your condition worsens, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Prevention is the most effective kind of home care. Maintaining excellent dental hygiene may help prevent and treat inflammatory lumps on the back of your tongue.
Good dental health may lower the chance of tongue bumps and cancer and keep lumps from becoming infected or painful.
Maintain good oral hygiene by doing the following:
Below are frequently asked questions about bumps at the back of the tongue:
Bumps on the back of your tongue are normal. But if they become swollen or inflamed, there could be a reason to worry.
However, in many cases, inflamed bumps heal on their own. Abnormal bumps on the back of your tongue may be due to tongue injury, infection, irritation, cancer, or allergies.
If they persist, seek medical assistance.
Yes, allergies, especially food-related allergies, can cause tongue bumps.
If your entire tongue swells suddenly, it may be due to a serious condition known as anaphylaxis that requires immediate medical attention.
Bumps on the back of your throat are not normal and may be a sign of infection or disease. Such bumps may result from a condition commonly known as cobblestone throat.8
A cobblestone appearance is characterized by bumps that bulge from the throat's surface and may vary in size.
Other potential causes of bumps on the back of the throat include syphilis, herpes, and strep infection.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection. Oral symptoms include bumps on the tongue, lips, and other mouth areas. A person gets infected with syphilis when they directly contact a syphilitic sore.
Syphilitic bumps on the tongue are painless and may be difficult to spot, especially in the early stages of infection.
Strep infection may lead to an inflammatory illness known as scarlet fever, characterized by a red and bumpy tongue, also known as strawberry tongue.
Scarlet fever is most often seen in children or people who come into contact with them. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to treat this illness.
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