Transient lingual papillitis

Transient lingual papillitis (also termed fungiform papillary glossitis,^[1] eruptive lingual papillitis,^[2] or colloquially, lie bumps),^[2] are painful, hypertrophic, red and white papillae on the tongue.^[2]

Cause

The name "lie bumps" is a result of a myth that telling lies would cause them. However, very little has been written about this condition in scientific articles or textbooks and scientific studies have failed to produce a definite cause.^[2] Possible causes include: "stress, gastrointestinal upset, menstruation, acidic or sour food, smoking, and local trauma" (direct physical irritation) of the tongue. Lie bumps are often caused by the taste bud/buds splitting.^[2]

"Lie Bumps" are small, white bumps on the base of the tongue. They are likely to be the result of transient lingual papillitis (TLP). This condition is limited to the upper (dorsal) surface of the tongue, affecting some of the tiny bumps on the tongue known as the fungiform papillae, what we commonly call the "taste buds."

TLP is a harmless problem. These bumps can become notably red or white and are quite tender for up to several days. While the cause of TLP is not known with certainty, most experts feel that local accidental trauma (rubbing, scraping or biting) is a major factor; however, contact reactions to things like certain foods have also been suggested. Lie bumps are not contagious and the discomfort is relatively minor. Typically these lesions heal within a few days with no treatment, though a check doctor may refer to an oral pathologist in prolonged cases.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for this problem, other than using ice or numbing medicines to ease the pain. Some people also suggest that placing salt on the bump will dry it out.^{[medical citation needed]}

However, the pain from TLP is often irritating, and many online posters have reported that using sterilised tweezers (with or without prior application of a numbing agent such as Rinstead Gel) to carefully remove the inflamed papilla can bring relief of the issue. Those attempting this should remember that doing so leaves an (albeit small) open wound in the mouth, and so it is important that the mouth is clean. (Swishing with a dilute antiseptic solution can achieve this).^{[medical citation needed]}

References