Several factors can contribute to the development of red bumps on your tongue. Infections are one of the more common causes of red bumps, but you can also develop small lesions on the tongue as a result of trauma, foods, allergens and even cancer. Some of these factors can clear up on their own, while others might require medical attention to improve your condition.
Diagnosis
The first step to any treatment is proper diagnosis, so consult a doctor or dentist. The cause of the red bumps greatly influences the medications used to improve the condition. According to the American Dental Association, your doctor or dentist should examine any sore that doesn't improve in a week or more.
Cold Sores
Though cold sores don't commonly develop in the mouth, the red bumps on your tongue could be an indication of this medical condition, according to MayoClinic.com. Exposure to herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2 can lead to these contagious lesions. They're often preceded and accompanied by pain or tenderness around lesion sites and usually lasts about 10 to 14 days. Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir, can speed recovery time.
Syphilis
During the early stages of syphilis, small ulcerations known as chancres can develop on the surface of your tongue, cautions the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. These bumps are usually painless and last anywhere between three to six weeks, regardless of treatment. If caught early, treatment with penicillin is usually all that's necessary. Later stages of the disease may require daily dosages of intravenous penicillin or another antibiotic.
Enlarged Papillae
On occasion, the small red bumps are simply the result of enlarged papillae, which are the nodules already present on the surface of the tongue. Acidic foods, friction, trauma and heat can all irritate the papillae, causing inflammation that leads to what appears to be red, raised bumps on the tongue, advises Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Mouth rinses can help ease any pain, but you might also need to smooth sharp teeth, avoid certain foods and beverages or pay special attention to any habits contributing to the condition.
Allergies
The red bumps on the tongue can sometimes be an indication of an allergy. Contact with any substance that your body recognizes as an allergen can trigger an immune response that leads to inflammation along the exposure site. This can cause the papillae to swell, taking on the appearance similar to a cluster of bumps.
Oral Cancer
It's also possible for red bumps on the tongue to be an indication of oral cancer, namely when the bumps occur on only one side of the tongue, warns Merck Manuals Online Library. These bumps are usually painless and hard to the touch. Like any other form of cancer, consult your doctor for treatment. Medical intervention is necessary to improve this condition.
