Lie bumps

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lie bumps (transient lingual papillitis[1] and fungiform papillary glossitis[2] ) are painful, hypertrophic, red and white papillae on the tongue.[1]

Contents

[edit] Description

Lie bumps are relatively common — a 1996 study found that 56% of the respondents to their survey reported these lesions.[1] The most common presentation of this was found to be in young women, involving one or several fungiform papillae.[1] The symptoms last several days and resolve on their own with no treatment.[1]

[edit] Cause

The name "lie bumps" is a result of a myth stating that telling a lie would cause one.[3] Lie bumps are often attributed to irritation of the tongue's papillae (taste buds) by sharp food or teeth.[3] However, very little has been written about this condition in scientific articles or textbooks and scientific studies have failed to produce a definite cause.[1] Possible causes include: "stress, gastrointestinal upset, menstruation, acidic or sour food, and local trauma" (direct physical irritation) of the tongue.[1]

[edit] Treatment

There is no specific treatment for this problem, other than using ice or numbing medicines to ease the pain. [4] Anecdotal remedies include gargling with salt water and direct application of hydrogen peroxide.[not in citation given]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Roux, O.; Lacour, J.P. and Paediatricians of the Region Var-Cote D'Azur (February 2004). "Eruptive lingual papillitis with household transmission: a prospective clinical study". British Journal of Dermatology 150 (2): 299–303. British Association of Dermatologists. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05703.x. 
  2. ^ Marks, R.; Scarff, C.E.; Yap, L.M.; Verlinden, V.; Jolley, D.; Campbell, J. (October 2005). "Fungiform papillary glossitis: atopic disease in the mouth?". British Journal of Dermatology 153 (4): 740–745. British Association of Dermatologists. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06577.x. 
  3. ^ a b "Itty-bitty bumps", WomensHealthMag.com, March 2006. Retrieved on 2007-10-30. 
  4. ^ "Dr. John R. Kalmar" (2006-02-19). "Lie bumps". Retrieved on 2007-10-30.