Pimples on tongue are caused by a number of diseases and conditions. They are often white or red in appearance at times black or yellow depending on what cause them. These zits or acne can affect your under tongue, tip of tongue, side, back or your whole tongue. To add on that, pimples that form on the tongue can be small or big in size, with painful or without painless.
Pimple on tongue is a common problem that affects many people of different age sets i.e. children as well as adults. Although this acne problem is not life threatening (unless caused by a life threatening condition), it could be bothersome and irritating especially if the pimples swell and become sore painful or hurt a lot.
Symptoms of Pimples on Tongue
- This kind of condition is characterized by white or red bumps on the tongue that look swollen. So they are quite large and obvious.
- Spots on tongue are often painful. They can be tender to touch.
- The bumps are irritated every time you eat or drink as the food grazes the surface of the affected area.
- Talking can sometimes get difficult when there are pimples on tongue. The pain can be too great, or the pimples on your tongue can feel swollen and cause some amount of discomfort while trying to speak. The tongue can feel heavier because of the swelling.
- If your pimples on the tongue are caused by herpes, then the pimples will have a yellowish color and may ooze a plus-like liquid after being around for some days. Fever or flu-like symptoms may also occur.
- If pimples on tongue in children are caused by eruptive lingual papillitis, then the pimples on tongue will be accompanied by excess production of saliva and problems with feeding. In very rare cases, swollen lymph nodes and even fever can occur.
Why do I have Pimple on Tongue
In some cases, pimples that appear on your tongue are associated with a lot of discomfort. The pimple can happen on the back of the tongue, side and the tip. A clear look at the causes may be helpful when it comes to treating them. Let as look at some of the things that result to pimples on the tongue.
Food allergy
There are various foods that can easily activate allergic reactions in the body system. This may lead to pimples that happen as the immune system responds by ejecting the easily ingested allergen out of the body through the body skin.
Often, when a person eat foods or even snacks like chips or nachos, then you are likely to irritate the mouth papilla; leading to a pimple effect. Such products do have a very rough texture that hurts especially when you repeatedly chew them.
Injury
Eating hard things that includes candles, snacks or candy, can hurt the tongue leading to a bump or pimple on tongue. Sometimes you may get the pimples directly from accidentally biting of the tongue. This sometimes hurts the surface of the tongue leading to a pimply feeling.
Eating too much fatty foods
Over consumption of the fatty foods leads to the pimples on tongue 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.
Viral infection
Pimples on the tongue may also be as a result of the viral infections like the flu and herpes. These usually disappear especially when the infection goes away. Bumps from oral herpes are usually a cluster of small yellow or clear bumps on the tip of the tongue. The area around painful little bumps will also appear red.
Herpes sufferers will also notice pimples on the inside of the cheeks too, similar to the small white bumps on tongue. Some people fear they have gotten a bump or bumps after kissing. This is not likely to be herpes as the oral kind is transmitted through unprotected oral sex.
Personal hygiene
Germs that are found in the tongue usually inhabit the unclean base of the tongue thus blocking pores and forming irritable pimple on tongue.
Smoking
Excessive smoking is likely to irritate the tongue making it painful and agitated
Canker sores
These are the mouth ulcers that are with an unknown cause. They usually appear on the tongue and get worse when a person is stressed.
Enlarged papillae
This is the inflammation of the taste buds that causes swollen painful pimple on tongue.
Oral cancer
A stubborn sore pimple on tongue that sometimes refuses to go away may be a sign of a cancerous swelling. Although it is painless, it may be dangerous and should thus no be taken for granted. If you experience such kind of pimple on tongue for over two weeks, then seek for a medical checkup.
A healthy tongue naturally has bumps, small slightly raised bumps all over its surface. These bumps house the taste buds which give us the power to identify various tastes. Without them we would never be able to tell sweet from sour as easily.
If you notice spots on your tongue that hurt however, or some redness or spotty whiteness, then this is not normal. There are several reasons you may have abnormal bumps on the tongue.
You have inflammation of the taste buds
This is sometimes referred to as lie bumps or TLP which is short for transient lingual papillitis. Don’t be alarmed by the fancy name, TLP only refers to the inflammation of the natural bumps that cover he surface of the tongue which are medically known as papillae.
Lie bumps will appear like raised bumps on the tongues surface, they could be yellow or red. Lie pimples on tongue may be quite painful and the whole tongue may feel sore even if the bumps are only in one area.
You have scarlet fever
This highly bacterial infection could explain some red bumps on the tongue of your child. Scarlet fever commonly affects children and besides fever, one gets a red rash on the body. This rash on the tongue will appear as small red bumps and is sometimes referred to as strawberry tongue.
Kawasaki Disease
Also mainly in children, this disease can cause large red bumps on the tongue. These bumps are typically in the back towards the throat and will be accompanied by other symptoms joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and redness on the hands and soles of the feet.
You could have a mucoceles
Mucoceles are cysts that form under the tongue as a result of a blockage on one or several saliva ducts. It will feel like small, fluid, filled painless pimples on tongue. You could also notice a bluish lump under the tongue that tis painless. This is another way mucoceles appear.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia may give you bumps in the mouth, including the tongue. Lumps from leukoplakia are not painful, nor malignant, usually.
What does a White Pimple on Tongue Tip mean?
The leading factor that provokes the perfect formation of the white head pimples on the face is the accumulating of sebum found in the sebaceous glands. In its turn it leads to gland’s stretch and the contents to start to be indicated through the cuticle, thus forming a whitish pimple on tongue.
Thus, a whitehead pimple on tongue tip is a small plug that usually clogs the ducts of the sebaceous gland. In many of the cases, these pimples appear because of hormonal disorders as well as genetic factors.
Today the majority numbers of scientists also agree that the bacterial growth increases under the plug of the sebaceous secretions and the dirt. As a result then, a white head appears. White head pimples on tongue tip may also be seen not only on the skin of the face but also on the whole body.
To stop the look of the white head pimples is very impossible. If you already have the pimples, it is not advisable to get rid of them by yourself, as they are different from acne. As a result of any of the extrusion then you may seriously damage the skin and leading to the appearance of a red scar. Thus, if you have such kind of cosmetic defect, you should consult a beautician or a dermatologist.
White, pimple on tongue that forms on the tip front part of the tongue is usually known as lie bumps. Painful and normally characterized by a swollen appearance, the lie bumps are a result of irritation to the individual fungiform papillae that house your taste buds.
Can you get Pimples on Back of Tongue?
Every once and a while, you will develop something that you’ve never had and is kind of weird. Sometimes it’s something that goes away, and sometimes it’s something that may have other issues attached to it. Take bumps on the back of the tongue, for example. They can occur from time to time.
These pimples on tongue back can be red or white, and may even have different causes. Some causes may be non-important, and others might be symptoms of a bigger issue that you should take care of right away. In this article, we’ll tackle what can cause these bumps and how you can get rid of them naturally.
What Causes Red Pimple on Tongue?
Your tongue is covered in bumps called papillae. These usually aren’t visible until they are irritated. For example, if the papillae at the back of your throat are irritated due to a cold or throat infection, they will become larger and red. These bumps may also be formed due to stress and food irritations.
Red pimples on tongue can also be caused by trauma to the back of your tongue. A bite or a cut can cause red bumps. Scolding your tongue with a hot liquid or food can also cause red bumps. Other possible causes can be things like oral herpes and allergies. One of the more serious causes of red bumps is scarlet fever.
These bumps can often be harmless, especially if they pop up on both sides of the tongue. For the most part, these red bumps are also easily dealt with, and there isn’t a huge amount to be concerned about. Nonetheless, it is important to keep an eye on them. If they don’t start to fade after time or treatment, it might be a good idea to consult a doctor and see what their opinion is. Along with the red bumps, there is also the possibility of white bumps.
Reasons for White Pimple under Tongue
White bumps on the tongue can share many of the same causes as red bumps. However, there are a few instances where it’s a completely different cause, and it should be taken care of in a different way than some of the red bumps. In terms of similar causes, white bumps can also be caused by irritation and trauma infection, but there are a few different reasons as well.
Why white pimples on tongue?
Canker sores are somewhat mysterious. Their exact cause is not known as they can be triggered by multiple things. Stress and injury can both trigger a canker sore, but so can certain acidic foods like pineapples, oranges, and lemons. Canker sores appear as a white bump on the tongue or the gums.
A cancer of the mouth, oral cancer, can be caused by a number of things. However, those people who are smokers and tobacco chewers tend to be among the higher risk candidates of getting oral cancer. One of the signs of oral cancer can be the appearance of white bumps around the tongue and mouth.
How to Get Rid of Pimple on Tongue
Unlike all other conditions, these pimples cannot be fully applied using topical ointment. Antibiotics are also not much prescribed by the doctors. This makes most of the home remedies to be a helpful solution. Some of home remedies include:
Abstinence from certain foods
Avoid of eating foods that are too fatty, acidic, spicy, sour or sweetened. These may be snacks or very hot foods. These may only worsen the condition leading to more painful pimple on tongue.
Oral hygiene
Oral Hygiene is very crucial when dealing with the tongue problems. Clean the tongue at least twice a day, floss too regularly to stop bacterial infection in the taste buds.
Salt water gargle
To prevent any spread of the infection and reducing the size of pimples on tongue, try to gargle salty water for about 3 minutes every day. Although the pain and inflammation may still continue, this action may curb further infection.
Medical mouthwash
A medically indicated mouthwash contains antibacterial properties that are able to clean and relieve the mouth. Use it daily for a clean wash.
OTC products
Antiseptic medicine that is provided over the counter also includes the topical application types that can be used especially for acute pain.
Doctors recommend Oral Base or the Zilactin medication that you can use as a cover on the bumps. This is also an effective way to help in prevention of further irritation and also heal the bumps without exposing the tongue to any infection. A mouth wash or even a warm salty water rinse in the mouth is also a perfect solution.
Mint leaves
Fresh mint may be chewed prior to sleep time may effectively reduce the size of pimples on tongue within a few hours.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste
To control the level of bacteria, use a paste consisting of baking soda especially on the affected parts. Hydrogen peroxide also performs in the same way.
Hydrogen peroxide and water
Using half water and half hydrogen peroxide dip a cotton swab in the mix and thereafter coat the white pimple. Repeat this for about 3 or 4 times a day for a quick healing. Be very careful with the amount you are using.
Magnesia milk
Sore pimple on tongue can be reduced by dabbing the cotton in the magnesia milk. Applied at least twice a day on the tongue, it will provide a clear relief.
Vitamin B supplements
Consult a physician to see if the condition is brought about by a deficiency in vitamin B. Take vitamin B supplements for one week for an improvement.
Cold compress
You can still improve the given condition faster by putting some ice chips or the cubes directly on the swelling. This also has a soothing effect on the painful tongue.
Milk and fig mixture
If the pimple on tongue is caused by indigestion or even a gastrointestinal problem, then use a mixture of a few figs as well as warm milk. Drink the mixture every other day to clear the stomach and reduce tongue bumps.
How do you Treat Pimples on Tongue?
There is no particular treatment that is known for the pimples on the tongue. Then you just have to leave it the pimple on tongue alone and even allow the body to resolve the issue in its own time.
The pain or irritation may be quite bad although, so you may need to try ice packs or the medications for numbing to dull the existing pain. You may also try over-the-counter ointments that can protect the surface of any irritated papillae, similar to using a bandage to an open the wound
Some people may recommend removal of the inflamed papilla using sterilized tweezers. There are some risks to this kind of treatment option. For one, you may have the open wound in the mouth for a while. This may also hurt too, and you may have to be very careful about the kinds of food that you take.
Anything spicy or salty may have you rolling on the floor in pain. Use numbing gel to the body area first to minimize the severity of the pain that you are bound to feel when you rip off that papilla out
Diagnosing the cause
Dentists are trained to examine your mouth and tongue for signs of oral cancer and other conditions. It’s a good idea to see your dentist twice per year for a thorough exam. If you have spots on your tongue for more than a few weeks and you don’t know the cause, see your dentist or doctor.
Many spots and pimples on tongue, such as thrush and black hairy tongue can be diagnosed on appearance alone. You’ll still want to tell your doctor about:
- other symptoms, such as pain or lumps in your mouth, neck, or throat
- all of the medications and supplements you take
- whether or not you smoke or have smoked in the past
- whether or not you drink alcohol or have done so in the past
- whether or not you have a compromised immune system
- your personal and family history of cancer
Even though most spots are harmless and clear up without treatment, spots and bumps on your tongue or anywhere in the mouth can be a sign of cancer.
If your doctor suspects tongue cancer, you may need some imaging tests, such as X-rays or positron emission tomography. A biopsy of the suspicious tissue can help your doctor determine for sure if it’s cancerous or not.