How to Get Rid of Lie Bumps (Pimple on Tongue)

Pimple on tongue, or lie bumps are small, soft, white or red bumps that appear on the surface of the tongue. These look swollen and are painful. These come up when fungiform papillae that hosts your taste buds gets irritated. Medically referred to as transient lingual Papillitis, it is not a life threatening condition. However, you do have to make some lifestyle changes as well as other home remedies to get rid to them.

Symptoms of Pimple on Tongue

The inflammation of the fungiform papillae causes the bumps to look large and white in color. This is different from pimples caused by herpes which will have a yellowish color and a puss like liquid will appear after a few days. These symptoms may be accompanied by fever or flu symptoms.

Pimples in children could be caused by an eruptive lingual papillitis. In this case, the bumps will have excess saliva and the child will have feeding problems. In rare cases, there will be swollen lymph nodes and fever symptoms.

What Causes of Pimple on Tongue?

1. Food allergy

There are certain foods that can activate allergic reactions in your body system. This leads to pimples which occur as your immune system responds by ejecting the ingested allergen out of your body through the skin.

Often, when you eat foods or snacks like chips, pretzels, or nachos, you are likely to irritate the papilla; causing a pimple effect. Such products have a rough texture that hurts when you repeatedly chew them.

2. Injury

Tongue biting, eating hard and rough foods [like candles, chips] piercings jewelry or dental braces can irritate or bruise your tongue and cause painful or sore pimple like bumps or swellings especially on the side as well as the tip of the tongue. These pimples could appear white when they begins to heal.

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3. Eating too much fatty foods

Over consumption of the fatty foods leads to the pimples as the body is trying to get rid of the extra fats. As a result, it releases excess oils through the skin. This may block the pores on the tongue thus creating a favorable place for the bacteria in the mouth to spread quickly thus causing the rashes.

Overconsumption of fatty foods brings about the pimples because your body is trying to remove the extra fats. As a result, it releases more oils through your skin. This could block the pores on your tongue creating a favorable environment for the bacteria in your mouth to spread causing the rashes.

4. Viral infection

Viral infection such as flu and cold sore or oral herpes (oral herpes is an oral STD) can form blisters and white pimple like bumps on your tongue, and other parts of the mouth and lips. Pimples from oral herpes tend to ooze clear liquid that is pus-like and they may come with other flu like symptoms.

5. Oral thrush

Oral thrush or oral candidiasis is a fungal infection can often cause white pimples in your mouth and tongue (tip of tongue, side or even back of your tongue). Sometimes, oral thrush could cause red pimples on tongue if it causes taste buds inflammation.

6. Personal hygiene

Germs in your tongue inhabit the unclean base of your tongue blocking pores and forming irritable pimples.

7. Smoking

Excessive smoking is likely to irritate your tongue making it painful and agitated

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8. Canker sores

These are mouth ulcers with an unknown cause. They appear on your tongue and get worse when you are stressed.

9. Enlarged papillae

Lingual papillae “are the small, nipple or hair–like structures on the upper surface of the tongue that give the tongue its characteristic rough texture” [wilipedia.org] and they are associated with taste buds. Sometimes, they can be inflamed and swollen. This will give them a pimple-like bumps appearance that tend to be white or red in color often known as lie bumps or transient lingual papillae. This is the inflammation of your taste buds causing swollen painful bump(s) on your tongue.

10. Oral cancer

A stubborn sore in your tongue that refuses to go away could be a sign of a cancerous swelling. Although painless, it could be dangerous and should not be taken for granted. If you experience such bumps for over two weeks, go for a medical check-up.

To help treat, reduce, prevent or soothe pimples on tongue, there are a number of recommended home remedies and general mouth and tongue care tips that can be of much help. These remedies include:

Abstinence from certain foods

Avoid foods that cause allergies or irritate your taste buds including spicy, hot and salty foods since they will make the condition worse. Acid and carbonated foods should be avoided since they will irritate the bumps.

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Oral hygiene

Oral Hygiene is important when dealing with tongue problems. Clean your tongue twice a day, floss regularly to hinder bacterial infection in your taste buds.

Salt water gargle

To get rid of tongue pimples fast, gargle saline or salty water for 2-3 minutes twice a day. This will help reduce the inflammation, pain and swelling. Salty water can also treat minor mouth infections and prevent new infections as well as infection spread. To prepare your saline solution, add a teaspoon of salt to about a cup of warm water.

Medical mouthwash

A medically proven mouthwash contains antibacterial properties to clean and relieve your mouth. Use daily for a clean wash.

OTC products

Antiseptic medicine given over the counter includes the topical application types that you can use for acute pain. Try covering the pimples or bumps with OTC antiseptic medications such as Zilactin or Oral Base medication to help reduce irritation and fasten healing.

Mint leaves

Chewing mint leaves before you go to bed can help reduce pimple size the following morning as well as reduce discomfort or pain.

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Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste

To control the bacteria, apply a paste of baking soda on the affected parts. Hydrogen peroxide also works the same way.

Hydrogen peroxide and water

With half water and half hydrogen peroxide, dip a cotton swab in the mix and coat the white pimple. Do this 3 or 4 times a day for quick healing. Be carefully with the amount you are applying.

Magnesia milk

Another way to reduce pain and swelling is to dab the pimples on tongue with a cotton swab dipped in milk of magnesia. As anyone who has ever had milk of magnesia can affirm, the tongue feels numb and tasteless. This very same quality is what will reduce your discomfort. Applied twice a day on the tongue, it will provide relief.

Vitamin B supplements

Consult a doctor to see if your condition is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B. Take vitamin B supplements for a week for improvement.  A vitamin B supplement for an entire week usually holds good enough to help treat lie bumps on the tongue. 

Cold compress

You can also improve the condition faster by putting ice chips or cubes directly on the swelling. This has a soothing effect on your painful tongue.

Milk and fig mixture

If the pimples are caused by indigestion or a gastrointestinal problem, use a mixture of two figs and warm milk. Drink this every day to clear you stomach and reduce tongue bumps.

Source: healthadviceteam

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