Is It Normal to Have Bumps on My Tongue? (Home Treatments)
Table of Contents
- Causes for Bumps on the Tongue
- Home Remedies
- When to See a Doctor
- Normal Bumps on the Tongue
It is normal to have bumps on your tongue.
The surface of your tongue is covered with small bumps called papillae that hold taste buds and temperature receptors. The majority of the time, these bumps are not noticeable, as they are mostly flat and pink in color. They can become inflamed or irritated with injury or illness.
There are a number of other reasons you can get bumps on your tongue, ranging from allergies to infection. Many of these conditions are very common and can be managed at home without the need for medical treatment.
At-home remedies can include diet changes and saltwater rinses. When tongue bumps are accompanied by fever or significant pain, you need to call your doctor.
Normal bumps on the tongue: What are they?
The surface of your tongue is rough and bumpy. Those bumps hold your taste buds, which allow you to sense the sweet, sour, and salty elements of the food and drinks you consume.
About 75% of all taste buds are located in bumps (also called papillae) on the tongue. The following types exist:
Fungiform: These contain about 25% of your taste buds. They’re located on the back of your tongue and look a little like a mushroom when examined closely.
Circumvallate: These contain 50% of your taste buds. Nine of these papillae are arranged at the rear of the tongue.
Foliate: These contain 25% of your taste buds. These papillae are located on the sides and toward the back of the tongue.
Papillae are typically the same color as the skin on your tongue, and you may never notice them. However, if you open wide and look in the mirror, you may see the circumvallate papillae at the back of your mouth.
A healthy tongue has plenty of bumps. However, if you spot new bumps or they’re somehow different from those you’ve seen before, it could be a sign of illness or disease.
Causes for Bumps on the Tongue
The papillae on your tongue can become irritated from acidic foods or sour candies. This can cause them to become raised, hard, and bumpy. This will generally clear up quickly if you stop eating these foods.
These are some of the other most common causes of bumps on the tongue:
Healthy taste buds lie almost flat and don’t hurt. People with transient lingual papillitis have one or several swollen papillae on their tongues. Typically, the problem appears on the tip of the tongue, but it can appear on the sides and back too.
In addition to swollen papillae, people with this condition may have pain, itchy mouths, and sensitivity to hot foods.
Symptoms typically resolve within a few hours, but it can take weeks for the problem to disappear completely. Doctors don’t typically treat this condition, as it goes away without treatment. But people should avoid irritating foods (like spicy meals) that can make the pain worse.
Trauma or injury to the tongue can cause it to appear bumpy. This can happen if you bite your tongue or burn it with hot liquid or food.
Some cases of tongue injury aren’t serious and will heal with time. Avoiding hot or spicy foods, and steering clear of sharp snacks (like chips) may give your tongue time to heal.
If your tongue isn’t healing properly or it’s so swollen that it’s hard for you to eat, get medical attention. Your doctor may use medications and other therapies to prompt your bumps to go away.
Your mouth is full of bacteria that are normally healthy, but if your tongue becomes injured, the bacteria can cause an infection. This can cause your tongue to become swollen, painful, and bumpy. Infections can often require medical treatment and antibiotics to clear.
The American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) says more than half of the population experiences canker sores. These small, painful, yellow-tinged sores appear on the tongue, cheeks, lips, and soft palate.
Canker sores will heal on their own, but they often reappear in the same spot. The AAOM says the cause of canker sores isn’t known. However, they can be linked to other conditions, such as gastrointestinal disease.
Often referred to as a cold sore or a fever blister, oral herpes can cause sores on the outside of the mouth and sometimes on the tongue. This is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
It is highly contagious during an outbreak and can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. The outbreaks can cause pain, and the blisters can last for a week or so.
People with oral herpes can benefit from antiviral oral medication, as these drugs can prevent future blister outbreaks. During an outbreak, using over-the-counter topical anesthetics can ease the pain. Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs as well.
Your mouth is full of bacteria that are normally healthy, but if your tongue becomes injured, the bacteria can cause an infection. This can cause your tongue to become swollen, painful, and bumpy. Infections can often require medical treatment and antibiotics to clear.
Food allergies and sensitivities can cause your tongue to bump, swell, and become irritated. This reaction is called anaphylaxis, and it is a medical emergency.
People experiencing anaphylaxis often have these symptoms in addition to a bumpy tongue:
Trouble breathing
Hives (red bumps on the skin)
Hoarse or tight throat
Abdominal distress, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain
Dizziness, fainting, and low blood pressure
Fast heartbeat or cardiac arrest
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, call 911.
Squamous cell papillomas can appear on the tongue, lips, and throat. They’re typically caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and appear after direct contact with someone who has the condition.
Papillomas are skin-colored bumps that have a wavy top (researchers call them “frond-like tumors”). Sometimes, they hurt. Sometimes, they don’t. They can get quite tall and make eating or talking difficult.
Your doctor can use therapies like cryosurgery to remove them. Sometimes, they go away without any kind of treatment. Infections with HPV are associated with higher rates of oral cancer, so it’s important to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
This type of cancer is relatively rare. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 58,000 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed in 2024.
Oral cancer can look like a bump, but it can also look like the following:
Thick white or red patches
Lumps
Swelling
People with oral cancer may also experience difficulty moving their mouth, swelling, bleeding, numbness, and pain. Your doctor can take a small sample of the bump for diagnosis. If you have cancer, treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy may help.
Home Remedies
Depending on the type of bump on your tongue and how it is bothering you, there are several at-home treatments you can try. Most of the time, bumps on the back of the tongue are not serious or a medical emergency.
Here are some of the things you can try at home:
Gargle with a warm saltwater rinse.
Drink a lot of water to flush your system.
Mix a baking soda rinse with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, 1 cup of warm water, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and gargle with it.
Minimize spicy, acidic, and citrus foods that can aggravate the bump.
Use an antiseptic mouthwash, but be careful with varieties that alcohol. These can be painful if you have an open sore.
Try a topical pain solution, canker sore medication, or numbing gel.
If you know the oral irritant, remove it.
Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
If you experience any bumps on the tongue followed by a fever, it is critical to see a doctor within 24 hours as this could be a symptom of a serious infection.
When to See a Doctor
If you experience a fever or additional symptoms in addition to the bump on your tongue, contact your doctor. Most of the time, bumps on the back of the tongue will clear up on their own and go away in a week or so. They are not usually cause for concern.
If the bump lasts longer than a week or keeps coming back, it is time to talk to your doctor.