Why does acne appear on the tongue and what to do about it

There are no sebaceous glands on the surface of the tongue, so the formation of real acne there is physically impossible. Pimples or painful formations that appear here in English-speaking medicine are calledLie bumps lie bumps - "false acne". Or, in strict scientific terms, temporary lingual papillitisTransient lingual papillitis - inflammationTransient lingual papillitis: a papulokeratotic variant papillae of the tongue.

Where do acne on the tongue come from?

The definition of lie bumps is sometimes interpreted literally: in English-speaking countries, adults often scare children, claiming that pimples on the tongue appear when someone is lying.

Of course, this is a myth. Although this phenomenon is common, doctors still don't know what exactly causes it.

It is assumed that inflammation of the papillae can be triggered by one of the following factorsLie bumps (transient lingual papillitis): What to know:

• Eating a lot of acidic (including fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits or tomatoes) or sugary foods.
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• Love for spicy, peppery products.
• Acute stress, to which the body reacts with such a strange inflammatory response.
• The habit of biting the tongue. It sometimes leads to microtrauma, which causes inflammation.
• Any digestive problems. For example, the appearance of acne on the tongue is associated with constipation.
• Allergy to this or that food product.

What to do if acne appears on the tongue

First of all, don't worry. Despite the fact that temporary lingual papillitis is not well understood, doctors believeTransient lingual papillitisthat it is not harmful to health.

In most cases, pimples on the tongue, even the most painful ones, go away by themselves within 2-3 days.

To speed up this process, do the followingTransient lingual papillitis.

• Avoid sour, sweet and spicy foods for a while. This is important so as not to irritate an already sore tongue.
• Drink cool water or unsweetened yogurt more often. Hold these drinks in your mouth before swallowing. This will help reduce soreness.
• You can dissolve the ice cubes. This will also reduce the discomfort in the mouth.
• Brush your teeth after every meal. Doing so will reduce the risk of bacteria proliferating, which can potentially intensify and prolong inflammation.
• Use a mouthwash. The reason is the same - to reduce the number of microbes in the oral cavity.
• Rinse your mouth with salt water for 30-40 seconds 2-3 times a day. The recipe for the solution is simple: ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. This will reduce inflammation.
• Use over-the-counter oral pain relievers. These can be sprays or lozenges with anesthetic effect.
• If you suspect a food allergy, take an over-the-counter antihistamine. For example, based on loratadinePrecautions when using over-the-counter drugs. Follow the instructions strictly!

When to see a doctor

Pimples on the tongue are unpleasant, but harmless. Nevertheless, there are several signs that indicate that it may not be about temporary lingual papillitis, but about some more serious disease.

Be sure to visit a doctor (therapist or dentist) ifLie bumps (transient lingual papillitis): What to know:

• Painful bumps do not go away for a week or longer, despite home care.
• Inflammation of the tongue appears quite often. For example, every few weeks.
• They hurt so much that they prevent you from eating or drinking.
• There is a taste of blood in the mouth, and the pimples themselves bleed when touched.

The doctor will conduct an examination and, if necessary, prescribe additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis.

And do not try to endure and postpone a visit to the clinic. Acne on the tongue, combined with the symptoms described above, can be signs of extremely unpleasant diseases - from human papillomavirus (HPV) and scarlet fever to syphilis and even oral cancer. Therefore, a consultation with a physician is required.