Have you ever noticed that your tongue looks red or just slightly swollen?
A pimple on the tongue can be any condition that causes redness, swelling, and pain on the surface of your tongue caused by infection (bacteria, viruses, or fungi), injury, allergies, debris, food, and rarely cancer. It is a bump that can be red, white, yellow, clear, or black in color. Not only does it make eating and talking difficult, but it also makes you feel self-conscious about your appearance. If it doesn't go away within 2 weeks, visit a doctor or a dentist.
This post will discuss what a pimple on the tongue is and how to identify them correctly. We will also explore some causes and treatments that may help you get rid of it quickly and painlessly. So, let's get started!
Causes of Tongue Pimples
Glossitis
Glossitis is a condition in which the tongue becomes inflamed and red. If you have glossitis, your tongue may appear smooth and glossy rather than bumpy, and it can be painful and uncomfortable. Many things, including infection, allergic reactions (to food, medicine, or dental products), vitamin or nutritional deficiencies, dry mouth, hormonal changes, or smoking, can cause it.
Good oral hygiene helps to prevent this condition by preventing food from becoming lodged in the crevices of your mouth and tongue. You should also avoid smoking or other irritants. If you develop symptoms of glossitis, see your doctor for antibiotics or other medication that can help with the pain and swelling.
There is another harmless condition called benign migratory glossitis or geographic tongue. Normally the tongue is covered with papillae (tiny, pinkish-white bumps) that are fine, short hair-like projections. In the geographic tongue, papillae are missing as patches on the surface of the tongue. These areas appear as red, smooth ‘islands’ with slightly raised borders. As these lesions give the tongue a map-like or geographic appearance, hence the name. There is no infection or cancer, although it may look alarming. The cause of this condition is unknown. Sometimes tongue discomfort may occur along with increased sensitivity to spices, salt, or sweets.
Canker sores
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small, round, or oval ulcers that form inside your mouth. They have a white or yellow center and a red border. They can also occur anywhere in the mouth, often under the tongue. Possible triggers include minor injuries from dental appliances, overzealous brushing, accidental cheek bites, or sports mishaps. Toothpaste or mouthwashes containing sodium lauryl sulfate, food allergies, hormonal changes, stress, or nutritional deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, folate, zinc, or iron can also trigger them. They're not contagious but can be painful and make eating difficult.
Canker sores usually heal on their own in 7 to 10 days without treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers may ease the pain until they go away. Good oral hygiene, eating a balanced nutritious diet, protecting your mouth from braces or other dental appliances, and reducing stress may help.
Visit a doctor or a dentist, if they are unusually large, recurring, persistent, unbearably painful, or if it is associated with fever.
Thrush
Oral thrush is a fungal infection in your mouth, which can cause white spots to appear on your tongue and inner cheeks. The affected areas look like cottage cheese and are usually very irritated. Oral thrush is common in babies and older adults because of their reduced immunity. Thrush can occur in patients with immunity disorders or if they are on certain medications.
Redness, burning, and soreness can cause difficulty in eating or swallowing. You should visit your doctor if you have an oral thrush because it requires treatment with antifungal medication to clear up the infection. It's a minor problem in healthy individuals. But, if you have a weak immune system, symptoms can be severe and difficult to control.
Lie bumps
Lie bumps (also called transient lingual papillitis) are small red bumps that form on the tongue. They're not harmful and don't last long, but they can be painful, unsightly, and uncomfortable.
They're often harmless and go away on their own, but if you'd like to speed up the process, salt water rinses, soothing foods like yogurt, and cold fluids may provide relief. You should also avoid sour or spicy foods until your bumps go away. Antiseptic or local anesthetic mouthwashes will help to ease the discomfort.
Squamous papilloma
Squamous papilloma is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes warts and other skin problems. It typically appears as a painless, irregularly shaped bump on the tongue. This is a benign growth that is formed in squamous cells of the tongue which is not a cancer.
It's harmless and doesn't require treatment, though if you want to remove it, there are several removal options available: excision (cutting off tissue), cautery (burning off tissue), laser surgery, and cryotherapy (freezing off tissue).
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes small, painless sores on the tongue, rectum, and genitals. The sores can come and go as the disease progresses. Syphilis can spread from person to person via contact with these sores. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious complications (affect the brain and heart) and even death.
Syphilis doesn't go away on its own—it requires a short course of antibiotics. If you have more questions about syphilis, talk with your doctor or other health care provider.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that causes red bumps on your tongue, commonly known as "strawberry tongue." It is associated with a red rash, high fever, and a sore throat. It is most common in children between 5 and 15 years. You can also help by drinking plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated, gargling with salt water to numb your throat (which will help prevent further irritation), and avoiding anything that irritates your throat—like spicy foods or alcohol.
Mouth cancer
Tongue cancer can grow from the cells of the tongue. Usually, it is a squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers usually appear as gray, pink, or red bumps on the sides of the tongue. Initially, a red or white patch can occur along with numbness. Bleeding can occur when you touch it. Treatment options vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Home Remedies and Treatments for Tongue Pimples
Proper oral hygiene
Oral hygiene is the first step in treating pimples on the tongue. Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Flossing also helps prevent bacteria from spreading to other parts of your mouth, and using mouthwash will help kill off any remaining bacteria after you brush and floss.
Tongue scraper
Using a tongue scraper regularly can help prevent pimples caused by bacteria living in these layers. It can also help keep your mouth cleaner and fresher, reducing the chance of bad breath.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a natural antiseptic that can help clear up any infection. Rinse your mouth with warm water and baking soda (1 tsp baking soda with 1/4 cup of warm water), and let it sit there for a few minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly.
Saltwater
A common home remedy for pimples is to apply salt water to the affected area. The salt will dry out the pimple, causing it to shrink and go away. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water, then rinse your tongue with it.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a wonderful remedy for pimples on the tongue. It's antifungal and antibacterial, killing any bacteria that might be causing your pimple. It can be applied directly to the sore area using a cotton swab or a Q-tip. You can also use some coconut oil in a capsule and swallow it.
Icing method
Ice or cold water can be applied to the affected area and then held in place with a bandage or compress. Keeping the ice in place for at least 20 minutes is important, as this will help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Over-the-counter medications
For minor cases of pimples on the tongue, you can use over-the-counter treatments like benzocaine (Orabase, Zilactin-B) or hydrogen peroxide rinses (Peroxyl, Orajel). These medications are safe to use daily. However, if your pimples don't go away after three weeks of using these treatments, see a doctor for a prescription medication.
Medical Treatments for Tongue Pimples
Antimicrobial mouthwash Prescription mouthwash is a common treatment for pimples on the tongue. Mouthwash is usually used to prevent or treat thrush caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast in the mouth. The mouthwash contains antifungal agents that kill off the yeast and prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are a great way to treat pimples on the tongue by killing the bacteria that cause them. These drugs will typically be prescribed to you by your doctor. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches when taken in high doses over long periods.
Cancer treatments
Cancer treatments are used to manage cancer and reduce the risk of it returning. Oral cancer treatments usually consist of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. The type of treatment that's best for you depends on the stage of your cancer and where it is located in your mouth.
When To Seek Medical Help for Tongue Pimples
If you have any of the following symptoms, it's time to see a doctor:
Fever
: A fever is a sign that your body is fighting something off and needs help. It could be a sign of an infection or something more serious, but either way, you should get checked out.Rash
: A rash can indicate an allergic reaction to something in your environment or food and many other things. If you're experiencing redness or bumps on your skin, check with your doctor to find out whether it's serious.Bleeding gums
: When your gums start bleeding when you brush them or floss them, talk to your dentist immediately—this could mean that they're infected with bacteria or plaque build-up.Fatigue
: If you feel tired all the time and can't seem to get energized, no matter how much sleep you get, it's time to see a doctor.Diarrhea
: If you have diarrhea that has been ongoing for several days, see a doctor immediately. An infection or other health condition often causes diarrhea and can be life-threatening if untreated.Inability to eat or drink
: If eating solid food causes pain in your mouth and throat that lingers for more than four hours after eating, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. You may have an infection or other problem that needs treatment.Blisters or sores on other parts of the body
: If you have blisters or sores on other parts of your body (including your tongue), seek medical attention immediately because this could be an early sign of HIV/AIDS.White patches in the mouth
: If you see white patches in your mouth, especially if they are hard and painful or accompanied by redness, swelling, or pain when eating or drinking, see a doctor immediately. This could be thrush or another kind of infection.
If any lesion on the tongue lasts for more than 2 weeks despite home remedies, seek help from a doctor or a dentist.
Conclusion
The good news is that pimples on the tongue are usually harmless and go away on their own. If you have a pimple on your tongue, try not to pick at it. You don't want to aggravate the problem or risk infection by introducing bacteria into the area.
If you're prone to getting these kinds of pimples, there are some things you can do to prevent them: stay away from spicy foods and other foods that may irritate your throat, drink lots of water, and avoid smoking or consuming alcohol.
Talk with your doctor if you're still worried about getting a pimple on your tongue. They can help determine whether anything else is happening that might cause these symptoms and recommend ways to treat them if necessary.
