The tongue is susceptible to all sorts of injury from eating and drinking, tooth grinding, biting and rigorous tooth brushing. The Merck Manuals online medical library attributes most issues of tongue discomfort to traumatic injury. Finding a single lump or clusters of bumps on the tongue can be alarming, and educating yourself about conditions that can cause tongue lesions can help you determine whether you need to see a doctor.
Causes
Tongue bumps are primary or secondary symptoms of various conditions -- some of which are serious. But don't panic if you notice large red bumps on your tongue. Dr. Martin Spiller, D.M.D., who runs a practice in Townsend, Massachusetts, explains on his website that the enlarged circumvallate papillae on the back of your tongue are normal to its anatomy. In fact, the human tongue is covered with small, nodular papillae that can become red and inflamed, especially after you eat something hot or acidic. Smooth, red patches of missing papillae indicate a benign condition called geographic tongue.
Canker sores are noncancerous but painful ulcers on the tongue or cheek lining with white or yellow centers and a red outer ring. The lesions do not usually appear in clusters and are caused by stress, injury, hormones and diet. Spots on your tongue can also indicate an allergic reaction.
The Varicella-zoster virus causes two diseases that can involve tongue lesions: chickenpox and shingles. Bacterial infections such as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus, can cause clusters of red spots on the tonsils or around the back of the roof of your mouth.
Oral cancer can manifest itself as lumps or lesions on the tongue. These bumps are usually hard and painless, and they may appear on only one side of the tongue.
Treatment
Many of the more common tongue bumps disappear without treatment. Antiseptic rinses and pain-reducing mouthwashes can alleviate the discomfort of inflamed tissue. Applying milk of magnesia or a mixture of half-peroxide, half-water with a cotton swab to a canker sore soothes and promotes healing. Swishing the mouth with a one-to-one mixture of diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, and milk of magnesia is helpful in treating canker sores and allergic inflammation.
Viral infections will run their course without treatment unless there are complications. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen for chickenpox or shingles. Antivirals can reduce the severity of shingles, but you should take them within 72 hours of the rash. You may need an antibiotic to fight a bacterial infection.
Radiation and surgery are common treatments for tongue cancer.
Effects
Your tongue is critical to speech and swallowing. Therefore, any disorder that causes pain or swelling of the tongue can interfere with these vital functions. Taste buds are scattered in the papillae of your tongue's surface. Conditions affecting the papillae can interfere with your ability to taste and enjoy food.
Prevention
You can prevent many types of bumps on the tongue by practicing good oral hygiene. Antiviral inoculations can stave off a shingles infection. Stay away from excessively hot and acidic foods and beverages. Don't ingest anything that triggers an allergic response. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Warning
Tongue cancer usually appears on the sides of the tongue or underneath it on the floor of the mouth. Inspect your mouth routinely and pay attention to any white or red area or painless lump. If you aren't certain of the cause of bumps appearing on your tongue, make an appointment with your doctor or dentist.
