Lie bumps
Encyclopedia
Lie bumps are painful, hypertrophic, red and white papillae on the tongue
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Lie bumps are often attributed to irritation of the tongue's papillae (taste buds) by sharp food or teeth. However, very little has been written about this condition in scientific articles or textbooks and scientific studies have failed to produce a definite cause. Possible causes include: "stress, gastrointestinal upset, menstruation, acidic or sour food, smoking, and local trauma" (direct physical irritation) of the tongue.
"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. If they do not, then you should check with your doctor who may send you to an oral pathologist.
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. (Swilling a dilute Antiseptic solution can achieve this)
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
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Cause
The name "lie bumps" is a result of a myth stating that telling a lie would cause one.Lie bumps are often attributed to irritation of the tongue's papillae (taste buds) by sharp food or teeth. However, very little has been written about this condition in scientific articles or textbooks and scientific studies have failed to produce a definite cause. Possible causes include: "stress, gastrointestinal upset, menstruation, acidic or sour food, smoking, and local trauma" (direct physical irritation) of the tongue.
"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. If they do not, then you should check with your doctor who may send you to an oral pathologist.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for this problem, other than using ice or numbing medicines to ease the pain.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. (Swilling a dilute Antiseptic solution can achieve this)