If you have yellow or red bumps on your tongue, you probably have a fairly common condition called "transient lingual papillitis". The intensity of the pain caused by this inflammation can be mild or even very severe. Although the disorder occurs mainly among young women and children, there have been few cases in which the doctor has been able to study the disorder in detail, although there is some evidence that it is linked to food allergies. The disease is not contagious and you can relieve symptoms with home treatments, or you can consider seeing your doctor or dentist.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating Lingual Papillitis with Home Remedies
Step 1. Gargle with a salt water solution
Rinse your mouth with a simple saline solution: it has antibacterial properties and can give you relief from the discomfort caused by swollen papillae; it can also reduce the inflammation associated with the disorder.
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in 250ml of hot water.
- Gargle with a large sip of the solution for 30 seconds; when finished, spit it out gently.
- Repeat after each meal to get rid of crumbs and debris between the teeth and on the tongue.
- You can gargle 3-4 times a day until the swellings on the tongue go away.
- Do not use the saline solution marketed for contact lenses to do mouth rinses.
Step 2. Drink hot or cold liquids
There is a lot of evidence that hot or cold drinks can provide relief and reduce inflammation associated with the disorder. You can drink both types of drinks as part of your normal daily hydration routine or as needed to relieve discomfort.
To keep yourself well hydrated, you should drink at least 9 8-ounce glasses of water per day if you are a woman, and 13 if you are a man. People who are very physically active and pregnant women should drink 16 per day
Step 3. Suck some ice
Sucking on cubes or popsicles can offer additional relief against swollen taste buds. The cold numbs the pain and reduces edema.
- As it melts, the ice also helps keep you hydrated and reduces the risk of your tongue drying out - which could further aggravate the discomfort from the lumps.
- You can place a few ice cubes directly over the swollen papillae of the tongue to create a quick and simple cold compress.
- Repeat as many times as you want.
Step 4. Eat soothing foods
Some doctors recommend consuming soft foods, such as yogurt. They can relieve pain or discomfort from the disorder.
- If the foods are a little cold, even better: they are even more soothing.
- Dairy products, such as yogurt, ice cream, and milk, are great for reducing the feeling of discomfort in the mouth. Other foods, such as puddings or popsicles, are also great for this purpose.
Step 5. Avoid foods and products that can increase discomfort
Certain foods can aggravate the situation by increasing pain or swelling of the tongue. You need to rule out any substances that can worsen inflammation, such as spicy or acidic foods and tobacco.
- Acidic drinks and foods, such as tomatoes, orange juice, sodas, and coffee, can create even more discomfort. You also need to avoid pepper, chili powder, cinnamon and mint.
- You also need to eliminate cigarettes or chewing tobacco, as they can make your malaise worse.
- If you are concerned that lingual papillitis is due to food allergies, exclude these foods from your diet to see if the problem goes away.
Step 6. Maintain good oral hygiene
Brush your teeth and floss every day after meals. Also get regular oral checks to keep your teeth, tongue and gums healthy. A clean mouth helps prevent these bumps from forming on the tongue.
- Brush your teeth and floss after each meal if you can. Food residues that remain between the teeth can promote the development of infections. If you don't have a toothbrush, chew gum that offers similar results.
- Go to the dentist at least twice a year for teeth cleaning and a checkup.
Step 7. Leave the bumps on the tongue alone
In most cases, lingual papillitis does not require treatment; it generally heals on its own within a few hours or at most a few days.
If the bumps create pain or discomfort, you can take pain relievers, although studies have shown that these medications do not reduce the intensity of symptoms
Method 2 of 3: Using Over-the-Counter Treatments
Step 1. Get some balsamic candies or throat sprays
Throat candies or anesthetic sprays contain an active ingredient that relieves pain, so they can be helpful against the discomfort associated with inflammation of the tongue. You can buy these products at a pharmacy or parapharmacy without the need for a prescription.
- You can eat the candy or use the spray every 2-3 hours. If the doctor or the leaflet indicate different dosages, respect the latter.
- Hold the balsamic candy in your mouth until it has completely melted. Do not chew it or swallow it whole, as it may numb your throat and make it difficult for you to swallow.
Step 2. Smear a topical steroid on your tongue
There is a variety of evidence that topical steroids are effective in relieving pain and discomfort due to lingual papillitis. You can buy these medications over the counter or have your doctor prescribe stronger formulations if over-the-counter medications aren't effective.
- You can find these medications without a prescription at almost any pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist for a product that contains benzocaine, fluocinonide, and hydrogen peroxide.
- The three best known steroids that are prescribed for the tongue are hydrocortisone hemisuccinate, triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% and betamethasone valerate 0.1%.
Step 3. Apply a capsaicin cream to your tongue
It is a topical pain reliever that relieves pain and discomfort. Put a small amount on your tongue 3-4 times a day.
- The cream may increase the discomfort a little at first, but the sensation disappears quickly.
- Prolonged use of this product can damage the tissues of the tongue and cause permanent loss of sensation.
Step 4. Rinse with an antiseptic or anesthetic mouthwash
You can gargle with this type of mouthwash containing benzydamine or chlorhexidine. These components can cure the infection, as well as relieve swelling and pain.
- Benzydamine is particularly suitable for pain relief.
- Chlorhexidine kills bacteria.
- Put 15ml of one of the two types of mouthwash in your mouth, rinse your entire mouth for 15-20 seconds, and then spit out the solution.
Step 5. Take antihistamines
Since lingual papillitis is often a consequence of food allergies, you can take an antihistamine to soothe the discomfort. This drug blocks the chemical element responsible for the allergic reaction, and offers comfort from inflammation and discomfort.
- Stick to the recommended dosage based on age and weight. If you are not sure which specific dosage is suitable for you, ask your doctor or read the leaflet.
- Try the antihistamines based on diphenhydramine and cetirizine, which you can buy in major pharmacies and parapharmacies.
- This class of drugs often causes sedative effects, so be especially careful if you have to drive or work with heavy machinery.
Method 3 of 3: See Your Doctor and Take Prescription Drugs
Step 1. See your doctor
If you have lingual papillitis and home remedies have not relieved the discomfort, make an appointment with your doctor. will want to understand if there are any underlying causes of the inflammation, so that you can formulate a treatment plan that fits your situation.
- The problem can be caused by several factors, such as a fungal, viral, bacterial infection or even allergies.
- If the disorder does not go away after a few days or if you have a recurrence, see your doctor to see if he can develop a therapy for you or diagnose any underlying conditions, such as food allergies.
- See your doctor if bumps on your tongue grow or spread.
- If they are particularly painful or inflamed, or if they interfere with your normal daily activities (including meals), see a doctor.
- These bumps could also be due to other causes, other than food allergies, including: throat cancer, squamous papilloma, syphilis, scarlet fever, or glossitis caused by smoking or infections.
Step 2. Get tested and diagnosed
Your doctor may order tests to determine the cause of the lingual papillitis. These tests often can't detect the exact cause, but they can help your doctor develop an effective treatment plan.
Your doctor can use a variety of diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of your problem. You can opt for an oral culture or allergy tests
Step 3. Take medication to treat the lumps
Your doctor may prescribe medications or recommend some free-for-sale medications to alleviate the discomfort caused by inflammation. Since the problem usually clears up on its own, she will only prescribe antibiotics or antiseptics if she has any underlying conditions.
- If the condition makes you uncomfortable, your doctor may prescribe one of the three most common medications that are used to treat tongue problems, which are amitriptyline, amisulpride and olanzapine.
- Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter pain medications, although there is very little evidence to show their effectiveness for lingual papillitis. Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are the most popular over-the-counter pain relievers.
