Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They Look LikeCausesTreatmentComplicationsWhen to Seek Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What They Look Like
Causes
Treatment
Complications
When to Seek Treatment
While thetonguenormally has tiny bumps called papillae, bumps on the back of thetongueare often from irritation or slight injuries to the tongue. The bumps might also be due to an infection or another underlying health condition.
This article will discuss what may cause papillae to become enlarged or other bumps to form on the back of the tongue. It will also cover treatment options and when to contact a healthcare provider.
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How Bumps on Back of Tongue Could Look
Bumps on the back of the tongue can vary in appearance based on their underlying cause. They may appearwhite, red, or the color of the tongue.
Normal vs. Enlarged Papillae
Normal papillae will appear as little bumps on the top of the tongue. They help grip food when eating and containtaste buds.Papillae that become enlarged and appear as bumps could be from one of several underlying issues, as discussed below.
Reasons for Enlarged, Swollen Papillae
Enlarged, swollenpapillaeoccur for several different reasons. The reasons are categorized intoinfectiousand noninfectious causes.
Infectious Causes of Tongue Bumps Near Throat
Various infections can cause bumps on the back of the tongue. Infections that affect the mouth and tongue include:
Noninfectious Causes of Tongue Bumps Near Throat
What Medications Can Cause Tongue Bumps?Medications can cause tongue sores and bumps. They are:AspirinBeta-blockersPenicillinPhenytoinChemotherapy medicationsSulfa drugsBefore stopping or switching a medication, talk to your treating healthcare provider.
What Medications Can Cause Tongue Bumps?
Medications can cause tongue sores and bumps. They are:AspirinBeta-blockersPenicillinPhenytoinChemotherapy medicationsSulfa drugsBefore stopping or switching a medication, talk to your treating healthcare provider.
Medications can cause tongue sores and bumps. They are:
Before stopping or switching a medication, talk to your treating healthcare provider.
How to Treat Bumps on the Back of the Tongue and Sore Throat
Bumps on the back of the tongue will need to be treated according to their cause. When a bump has an infectious causeantibiotic,antiviral, orantifungaldrugs may be used.
Noninfectious causes supportive therapy and good oral hygiene might be the best route.
General ways to keep the mouth clean and treat oral concerns are:
You May Not Need to Treat Papillae
Papillae are a normal tongue structure. They do not need to be treated for any health condition or cause.
When papillae becomeinfected,inflamed, or appear abnormal, a healthcare provider should be seen to determine the right treatment plan.
Complications From Bumps in the Back of the Throat
When to See a Healthcare Provider
When someone has bumps on their tongue and do not know the cause, they should see a healthcare provider. Other reasons to contact a healthcare provider are:
A Word From VerywellAny nonhealing lesion of more than two weeks presenting with additional symptoms (fevers, swelling, etc.) warrants a visit with a healthcare provider. If feasible, take photos with your phone to monitor changes in the lesion to avoid memory errors.—BRIAN T. LUONG, DMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Any nonhealing lesion of more than two weeks presenting with additional symptoms (fevers, swelling, etc.) warrants a visit with a healthcare provider. If feasible, take photos with your phone to monitor changes in the lesion to avoid memory errors.—BRIAN T. LUONG, DMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Any nonhealing lesion of more than two weeks presenting with additional symptoms (fevers, swelling, etc.) warrants a visit with a healthcare provider. If feasible, take photos with your phone to monitor changes in the lesion to avoid memory errors.
—BRIAN T. LUONG, DMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Nemours KidsHealth.What are papillae?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC basic fact sheet.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scarlet fever: all you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidainfections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.MedlinePlus.Tongue problems.National Institute of Health.Fever blisters & canker sores.DermNet.Transient lingual papillitis.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: tongue cancer.National Cancer Institute.Oropharyngeal cancer treatment.NHS.Sore or white tongue.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Nemours KidsHealth.What are papillae?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC basic fact sheet.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scarlet fever: all you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidainfections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.MedlinePlus.Tongue problems.National Institute of Health.Fever blisters & canker sores.DermNet.Transient lingual papillitis.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: tongue cancer.National Cancer Institute.Oropharyngeal cancer treatment.NHS.Sore or white tongue.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.Nemours KidsHealth.What are papillae?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC basic fact sheet.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scarlet fever: all you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidainfections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.MedlinePlus.Tongue problems.National Institute of Health.Fever blisters & canker sores.DermNet.Transient lingual papillitis.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: tongue cancer.National Cancer Institute.Oropharyngeal cancer treatment.NHS.Sore or white tongue.
MedlinePlus.Mouth sores.
Cedars Sinai.Herpes simplex virus (HSV) mouth infection.
Nemours KidsHealth.What are papillae?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis - CDC basic fact sheet.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scarlet fever: all you need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidainfections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
MedlinePlus.Tongue problems.
National Institute of Health.Fever blisters & canker sores.
DermNet.Transient lingual papillitis.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: tongue cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Oropharyngeal cancer treatment.
NHS.Sore or white tongue.
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