What’s Causing My Sore Tongue

Scarlet fever can turn into a serious medical condition with complications and therefore it’s important to seek prompt medical assistance in this case.

Bumps on Back of Tongue: Causes and Effective Treatments

The surface of your tongue has many tiny bumps called papillae that give the tongue a rough texture and help you taste food. These small bumps are found from the back of your tongue to the tip of your tongue. Usually, you only notice these tongue bumps if they become inflamed or swollen for some reason. For example, viral or bacterial infections, injury, or allergic reactions can cause red or white swollen bumps on the back of the tongue.

Depending on the cause of the swollen papillae at the back of your tongue, they could interfere with your sense of taste, eating, and even speaking. In most cases, there are effective home remedies that can help to get rid of these annoying tongue bumps at the back of your mouth. For example, salt water rinses, apple cider vinegar, and witch hazel have antimicrobial properties that can get rid of infections that cause bumps on your tongue.

In this article, you will learn about the causes of bumps that appear on the surface of your tongue at the back of the throat. You will also find effective treatments you can make at home to get rid of the cause of the tongue bumps and when the condition is serious enough to see a doctor.

What Causes Red Bumps on Back of Tongue

Let’s look briefly at why you can get red bumps appearing on the back of your tongue. Bumps or papillae on your tongue are already a reddish, pink color. However, conditions like a throat infection or bacterial infection will cause the bumps to become larger and redder and possibly cause some pain.

Also, if you injure the back of your tongue with hot liquids or inadvertently biting your tongue, you may get a tender, red fluid-filled blister on the affected area. Some medical conditions that cause swollen, red bumps at the back of your tongue are scarlet fever or squamous cell papilloma.

Why White Bumps Appear on Back of Tongue

White bumps on your tongue, whether they are at the back of the tongue, side of the tongue or tip of the tongue are often more noticeable.

Usually, white tongue bumps that show up anywhere on your tongue are caused by a viral or yeast infection. For example, oral thrush causes white bumpy patches on your tongue near your throat. Also, viruses like the herpes virus can cause painful white ulcers on your tongue and possibly fever symptoms. However, sometimes stress, vitamin deficiencies, or food sensitivities can cause canker sores at the back of your tongue or under your tongue.

Bumps on Back of Tongue – Causes and Home Remedies

The condition of your tongue can tell a lot about your health. Let’s look at common causes of red or white tongue bumps that can cause discomfort and irritation near the back of your tongue.

Canker sores

Many people will have canker sores at some point in their lives. These small bump-like ulcers can appear anywhere in your mouth, including the back of your tongue. These oral bumps may start off with a tingling or burning sensation before a white ulcer appears.

According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, canker sores can be white or yellow and are surrounded by a red border. Usually, the white bumps are fairly small. However, large painful sores can develop and take longer to heal. 1

Dr. John Cunha on MedicineNet says that canker sores can be caused by a number of different factors. For example, eating acidic foods, having a vitamin deficiency, being under prolonged stress, or smoking can be a reason for white ulcer-like bumps on your tongue. Also, some medicines can cause canker sores. 2

How to treat canker sores

One excellent way you can treat canker sores at home and make them heal quicker is to use baking soda. The healing properties of baking soda can help to treat pain and inflammation from the affected area on your tongue. Baking soda will also quickly reduce the size of white canker sores.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a doctor’s comments on the effectiveness of baking soda for canker sores. Dr. Jennifer MacDonald wrote that, although baking soda stings when applied to canker sores, it’s a home remedy that works. 3 This is due to the antibacterial activity of baking soda for elimination of oral ulcers. 4

To treat the painful symptoms of canker sores on the back of your tongue, mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with some water to form a thick paste. Apply to the affected area on the tongue where the canker sore is and leave for a few minutes. Rinse your mouth with a glass of water. Do this 2 times a day until the white bump or ulcer has healed completely.

Cold sores

Another type of white or red bump that can affect the back of your tongue is a cold sore. Cold sores, or fever blisters, usually cause sore bumps on the lips or tip of the tongue. However, in some cases, they can affect areas further back in the oral cavity, including the back of your tongue or roof of your mouth.

Dr. Carol DerSarkissian on WebMD says that the cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. The classic symptoms of a cold sore bump on your tongue or mouth are bumps that appear as small gray blisters with a red base. However, before the bump in your mouth or tongue appears, you may have tingling, itching, or pain at the infected spot. 5

How to treat cold sores on back of tongue

Getting rid of bumps from the back of your tongue can be challenging because of your gag reflex. However, you can make an effective mouthwash with witch hazel to help heal the sore bumps near the back of your mouth. Witch hazel contains healing properties and is a natural antiseptic and astringent treatment for wounds.

According to the University of Michigan, studies have shown that witch hazel contains compounds that reduce the size of cold sores. By applying witch hazel every day to the fever blister, the length of time that the blisters took to heal was quicker than using a placebo. 6

To make the witch hazel mouthwash, mix 1 teaspoon witch hazel in a glass of warm water. Add 1-2 drops of clove oil. Use the natural remedy to gargle, making sure that the witch hazel gets to the back of your tongue and throat. Gargle 2 times a day to help speed up the healing process of cold sore bumps at the back of your tongue.

This witch hazel remedy is also a great gargle to reduce irritation at the back of your throat caused by a canker sore on your tongue.

Cold sores can also affect your lips or your nose, so please read my article on treating cold sores on your lips and in your nose to get quick relief.

Oral thrush

White raised bumps on the back of your tongue are also a symptom of oral thrush. Oral thrush is caused by a candida yeast infection. The symptoms of oral thrush especially affect the back of your mouth and can cause a white substance like cottage cheese on your tongue.

Dr. Minesh Khatri on WebMD says that candida fungus is found in the mouth and an overgrowth of the fungus can cause signs of oral thrush. These include small white lumps at the back of your mouth, on your tongue, inner cheeks, and tonsils. You may also have a feeling of something being stuck in your throat. 7

How to treat oral thrush bumps at the back of your tongue

There are several effective home remedies to help clear a candida infection that causes oral thrush.

For example, a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that coconut oil contains antimicrobial properties against Candida infections. In fact, coconut oil was as effective as fluconazole – a popular pharmaceutical drug for treating yeast infections. 8

Anti-fungal mouth wash recipe for white bumps on tongue

To get rid of the white bumps from the back of your tongue caused by a yeast infection, you can make your own anti-fungal coconut oil recipe. Mix 1-2 drops cinnamon oil with a tablespoon virgin coconut oil. Swish the remedy around your mouth for 20 minutes to help destroy the yeast overgrowth in your mouth. Spit out into a container and dispose it in the trash can. Brush your teeth as usual. Repeat daily until the oral thrush on your tongue is completely gone.

Stress

Stress can be a cause of many ailments in your body. Stress can cause or aggravate some of the underlying causes of bumps on the back of your tongue like cold sores, canker sores, and candida infections. However, stress by itself can cause red bumps to appear on your tongue’s surface.

Dr. Dyall-Smith, a dermatologist from New Zealand says that stress causes taste buds on your tongue to become inflamed. This can cause localized swelling, inflammation, or even pain on the back of your tongue or other areas where taste buds are inflamed. 9

If you notice that the back of your tongue becomes redder and you have raised bumps on its surface when you are stressed, try some of my natural stress relief remedies or these essential oils to relieve stress to help get rid of the bumps.

Stress isn’t the only reason for inflamed taste buds, there are other reasons for this condition.

Inflamed taste buds

Inflamed taste buds anywhere on your tongue is a condition known medically as transient lingual papillitis. These swollen papillae on the back of tongue are also known as lie bumps.

There are many reasons for these swollen lesions on your tongue. A review of the causes of inflamed taste buds published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry says that digestive problems, fluctuations in hormones, or allergies can all be factors in tongue bumps appearing. 10 Some studies have suggested that a viral infection could be also to blame for inflamed taste buds. 11

How to treat inflamed taste buds at the back of tongue

Usually, if the inflamed taste buds are causing problems at the back of your mouth because of irritation, removing the trigger is enough to get rid of the swelling. However, there are a number of easy ways to reduce inflammation in tongue bumps.

You can soothe painful bumps at the back of our tongue or on the tip of your tongue by drinking something cooling. So, you could suck on an ice cube or slowly consume a cool drink for a quick relief from discomfort on your tongue.

Doctors also recommend salt water mouth rinses to help reduce inflammation in swollen taste buds. 10 All you have to do is mix 1 teaspoon sea salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth or gargle the home remedy to make sure and treat the bumps on the back of your tongue. Repeat daily until the inflammation has gone and you no longer have sore, red tongue bumps.

You can find more information about inflames taste buds in my article on swollen taste buds: causes and effective treatments.

Squamous cell papilloma

A small growth of red bumps on the back of your tongue could be a squamous cell papilloma. These bumps that can affect the tongue are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are described in medical literature as noncancerous growths.

According to Dr. Vanessa Ngan from DermNetNZ, squamous cell papillomas can affect any tissue in the oral cavity. They are usually found on the tongue but can also appear on the lips or the inside of the cheeks. They are usually small red or pink bumps on the tongue, but if they grow larger, they can become whitish bumps on the tongue that look like a cauliflower. 12

Dr. Ngan says that, unless squamous cell papillomas cause you discomfort or start to spread, the tongue bumps can be left alone.

Scarlet fever

A collection of dark red bumps on the surface of your tongue could be caused by scarlet fever. Because the tongue takes on a red and bumpy appearance, this is sometimes called a strawberry tongue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a group A Streptococcus bacterial infection is responsible for scarlet fever. The first symptoms are usually a fever and sore throat and the tongue will then become red and bumpy. The red tongue bumps will be seen through a white ‘fur’ that covers the tongue. Following that, a rash usually appears on the body. 13

Scarlet fever can turn into a serious medical condition with complications and therefore it’s important to seek prompt medical assistance in this case.

Lymphoepithelial Cysts

A rare type of bump that can affect the back of your tongue is a lymphoepithelial cyst. According to the Bulletin of Tokyo Dental College, lymphoepithelial cysts can affect the back surface of the tongue or on the floor of the mouth. Usually, these cysts can be surgically removed. 14

Oral cancer

It is very rare, but a small to large bump, or a blood blister, that doesn’t go away on the back of your tongue or anywhere else in your mouth could be a sign of oral cancer.

According to Dr. Michael Friedman on WebMD, some of the signs of oral cancer are bumps or lumps on areas inside your mouth, persistent sores in the mouth that bleed and don’t heal, or white and red patches on the tongue, inside the cheeks, or in the mouth. 14

When to See a Doctor

Fortunately, most problems affecting the tongue are not serious and can be resolved quickly using natural home remedies. However, in some cases, you should see a doctor for bumps on your tongue that cause you concern.

Doctors from the Mayo Clinic recommend visiting your doctor to get your tongue examined in the following circumstances:

You get recurring sores anywhere on your tongue that don’t heal well
Ulcers or canker sores last for more than 2 weeks
You have difficulty eating or drinking because of the bumps on the back of your tongue
The back of your tongue swells up in a way that could indicate an allergic reaction
A growth or bump on your tongue isn’t resolved by home treatments or it continues to grow

Read my other related articles:

8 Warning Signs Your Tongue May Be Sending
How to Heal a Burnt Tongue Quickly
Scalloped Tongue (Wavy Tongue): Causes and How to Get Rid of It
White Spots on Throat – 6 Common Causes

Article Sources

MayoClinic. Canker sores.
MedicineNet. Canker sores.
CMAJ. 2002 Apr 2; 166(7): 884.
Laryngoscope. 1980 May;90(5 Pt 1):758-68.
WebMD. Guide to oral herpes.
UFOMHealth. Witch hazel.
WebMD. What is thrush?
J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7.
DermNetNZ. Transient lingual papillitis.
J Clin Exp Dent. 2017 Jan; 9(1): e157–e162.
Br J Dermatol. 2004 Feb;150(2):299-303.
DermNetNZ. Squamous cell papilloma.
CDC. Scarlet fever.
Bull Tokyo Dent Coll. 2012;53(1):17-22.
WebMD. Oral cancer.
MayoClinic. Canker sores.

Bumps on Back of Tongue: Causes and Effective Treatments was last modified: May 21st, 2018 by Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer

What’s Causing My Sore Tongue?

A sore tongue may result from an injury or a mouth ulcer, which can typically heal on its own. Sometimes, a sore tongue can be a symptom of a more serious issue, including a vitamin deficiency, infection, or chronic condition.

If your tongue is sore, it can be pretty hard to ignore. It may bother you when you speak or eat, and you may worry that something is seriously wrong. The good news is that most causes of a sore tongue aren’t a reason for concern.

Here are some of the most common causes, as well as when you should head to the doctor.

Biting down hard on your tongue can be extremely painful. Eating something very hot can burn your tongue and even blister it. Grinding your teeth or clenching them may cause pain on the outer edges of your tongue.

Just like when you bang your arm or leg, the pain from trauma doesn’t necessarily go away immediately. Whatever the case may be, injury to your tongue may make may it feel sore and uncomfortable until the damage fully heals.

You may develop what are called enlarged papillae on your tongue. These white or red bumps are sometimes referred to as lie bumps or transient lingual papillitis. This means you have swollen taste buds, and they can be painful. They usually clear up in a few days on their own.

Oral thrush is a type of yeast infection that may cause tongue pain. You may see white patches that look like cottage cheese on your tongue. This infection is more common in babies and older adults, especially those who wear dentures or have weakened immune systems. You may develop oral thrush if you’ve recently taken antibiotics. It can also occur in people who use steroid inhalers to manage their asthma.

Other infections may also give you a sore tongue, such as:

hand, foot, and mouth disease
human papillomavirus
syphilis

Your tongue pain may be focused around a specific spot. If you open your mouth to look, you may see a round or oval ulcer or canker sore. It may be whitish in appearance or sometimes red, yellow, or gray.

These spots can develop for a number of reasons, like:

biting your tongue or other damage
eating something hard or sharp
experiencing stress or anxiety
eating particular foods
stopping smoking
undergoing hormonal changes

Ulcers generally heal after a week or two with no other treatment. You may take over-the-counter pain medications to help ease the discomfort. You may also want to avoid eating things like spicy foods that may irritate your tongue further.

That’s right — certain foods may make your tongue hurt. You may have what’s called oral allergy syndrome. This condition is also known as pollen-food syndrome, and it’s most often caused by raw fruits, vegetables, and certain tree nuts.

Along with a sore tongue, you might experience:

an itchy mouth
a scratchy throat
swelling of your lips, mouth, or tongue

Oral allergy syndrome is more likely to start in older children, teens, and younger adults. If your reaction is severe, your doctor may suggest you carry an epinephrine auto-injector.

Smoking — and even stopping smoking — can cause tongue pain. When you smoke, you also put yourself at a higher risk of developing cancer in your mouth and throat.

Other issues smoking can cause in your mouth include:

stained teeth
bad breath
tooth decay and loss
hairy tongue from bacteria and yeast growth
brown spots on your gums
thickened and pale or white palate, or roof of your mouth

Stopping smoking today can halve your risk of developing oral cancer within five years, according to a 2010 report from the U.S. surgeon general for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Still don’t know what’s going on? There are other, less common causes of pain that you may want to discuss with your doctor. With many of these health issues, you may experience more than just a sore tongue.

You may have a smooth, sore tongue if your body is deficient in either vitamin B-12, iron, or folate. If you’re deficient in vitamin B-12, your tongue may also be beefy red in color. Low levels of zinc can cause a burning tongue.

Other symptoms of vitamin deficiencies include:

fatigue
dizziness
irregular heartbeats
unexplained weight loss
muscle weakness
numbness or tingling in your hands and feet

Vitamin deficiencies generally develop over a long period of time — anywhere from several months to years. Treatment involves eating a well-balanced diet, taking supplements, and sometimes receiving vitamin injections.

Does your pain feel more like burning? Burning mouth syndrome, or burning tongue syndrome, can cause this sensation on your tongue or in other areas of your mouth, like the inside of your cheeks, gums, lips, or palate. You may even feel at times like you’ve eaten extremely hot foods and have scalded your tongue. The feeling can happen suddenly or develop over time. Other symptoms include increased thirst or dry mouth and taste changes or a loss of taste.

Neuralgia results from nerve irritation or damage. It may be a reason people experience recurring tongue pain if there’s no other obvious cause, like trauma or infection.

The type of pain associated with this condition is intense, like an electric shock. You may feel it on your tongue or in your throat, tonsils, or ears. It may be triggered by swallowing and can occur in people who have throat or neck cancer. Otherwise, the cause isn’t always known.

If you end up having this condition, you may need to take medications to help with nerve pain or discuss surgery with your doctor.

Lichen planus is a chronic skin issue that causes anything from an itchy rash on your skin to white lacy patches and pain on your tongue. More mild cases of this disorder may not cause any discomfort at all. Other symptoms include red or white patches in your mouth or burning while eating or drinking. You may even develop painful red gums with this condition. Treatment may be ongoing.

Behcet’s disease causes blood vessel inflammation throughout your body. It’s a rare reason for tongue pain, but it may cause mouth sores that look like canker sores. These sores begin as round, raised areas of irritation. They may last anywhere from one to three weeks and may return with time.

Other symptoms of this condition include:

acne-like sores and lumps on your skin
inflammation in your eyes
joint pain
digestive issues
genital ulcers

Moeller’s glossitis is also called atrophic glossitis or even “bald” or “smooth” tongue. This condition is a type of inflammation of the tongue. It can cause pain, irritation, or a burning sensation. Your tongue may become smooth and even glossy in appearance because your taste buds have atrophied. This condition is usually related to nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin B-12 deficiency or anemia, or even celiac disease.

Do you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen (Aleve), or beta-blockers? Some studies have suggested that these medications may make your tongue sore by causing ulcers. Mouthwashes may also irritate your tongue and make it sore.

Though rare, pemphigus vulgaris is a disorder that can cause painful sores in your mouth or on your genitals. These sores may show up as blisters in your mouth. They may rupture and ooze and become infected. You may even find it difficult to eat or swallow. Treatment usually involves different medications or therapies like those that are used to treat severe burns.

Another rare cause of tongue pain is oral cancer. Again, there are many reasons you may have a sore tongue — cancer is only a remote possibility. If you notice pain with a lump or sore that doesn’t go away, you may want to head to the doctor for a checkup.

Other symptoms include:

painful chewing
painful swallowing
loose teeth
sores that won’t heal
sores that bleed
thickening of the skin that lines your mouth

Oral cancer may not cause pain in the early stages, so it’s a good idea to head to your doctor if you feel a lump even without pain for two weeks or longer.

Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that leads to inflammation in the salivary and lacrimal glands, which results in chronic dry eyes and dry mouth. It’s also typically associated with skin changes, joint pain, and other issues. It’s unclear why some people develop Sjögren syndrome. In people with chronic dry mouth, the tongue can become dry and fissured, and can easily develop ulcers and infections.

Call your doctor or dentist if you notice any changes in your tongue that concern you. These changes may include anything from a change in color, lumps, and sores to pain that continues for two weeks or longer.

In many cases, pain isn’t a reason to worry, but your doctor can help you rule out more rare causes of tongue discomfort, like pemphigus vulgaris or oral cancer. Your doctor can also prescribe medications to get oral thrush, infections, or other issues under control so you’re feeling better soon.

Last medically reviewed on July 5, 2018