Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes and SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types and Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Transient lingual papillitis, also called “lie bumps” or “liar’s tongue,” is a painful condition that causes small bumps all along the tongue. It is not serious and usually goes away in a few days.
Lie bumps get their name from the myth that you develop bumps on yourtongueif you tell a lie. The real cause of transient lingual papillitis is something irritating yourtaste buds(known as fungiform papillae).
The bumps, which are very common, cause significant pain, especially when you try to eat.
While transient lingual papillitis clears up on its own, you may need help managing the discomfort and can talk to your healthcare provider about ways to prevent them from coming back.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023.
Types and Symptoms of Lie Bumps
There are four different types of transient lingual papillitis, each with its own set of symptoms. Each of these types may occur on their own or with other tongue conditions likegeographic tongue(a generally harmless condition in which “bald” patches develop on the tongue).
Classic or Localized Lingual Papillitis Type
With classic or localized transient lingual papillitis, the papillae are inflamed in just one area of the tongue, often the tip.
Symptoms include:
Eruptive Lingual Papillitis Type
Eruptive lingual papillitis is a systemic (whole-body) illness that affects usually children and sometimes adults.
Eruptive lingual papillitis generally lasts for a week or two. However, it is prone to recurrence, often within a couple of months.
Papulokeratotic Lingual Papillitis Type
Papulokeratoticlingual papillitis is a persistent or frequently recurring type that does not cause symptoms other than whitish or yellow bumps all over the tongue. The bumps do not interfere with eating or affect taste in any way.
U-Shaped Lingual Papillitis
U-shaped lingual papillitis has some key differences from the other types. Firstly, it doesn’t involve bumps but rather small patches that look as if tissues have been peeled away.
Other symptoms may include:
Causes and Risk Factors
Transient lingual papillitis is oftenidiopathic(meaning of unknown origin).While the original cause is unknown, researchers believe that one or more triggering factors, either localized or systemic, can turn on the inflammation.
Local triggers of transient lingual papillitis may include:
Systemic triggers may include:
COVID-19 and U-Shaped Lingual PapillitisU-shaped lingual papillitis is frequently noted in people withCOVID-19. Studies suggest that roughly one in 10 people with COVID-19 experience U-shaped lingual papillitis, usually on the front portion of the tongue.
COVID-19 and U-Shaped Lingual Papillitis
U-shaped lingual papillitis is frequently noted in people withCOVID-19. Studies suggest that roughly one in 10 people with COVID-19 experience U-shaped lingual papillitis, usually on the front portion of the tongue.
Recurrent Viral Infection
Some researchers hypothesize that transient lingual papillitis can result from a prior infection recurring later in life, similar to howoral herpes(cold sores) recur.
It’s unclear which viruses may cause transient lingual papillitis. One study showed the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 virus in a test of transient lingual papillitis, but more research is needed.
Other Risk Factors
The classic form of transient lingual papillitis is very common. All people and age groups may be vulnerable as it affects over 50% of the population.However, it does appear to be most common in young women.
Eruptive lingual papillitis is most common in children who are in close contact with many other children (at school or daycare, especially). Frequently, in a household, this papillitis starts with the younger children. According to research,outbreaks originate in children with a median age of 3.5 years before spreading to other family members.
Diagnosis of Bumps on the Tongue
If there are any concerns that another, more serious condition is involved, your health provider may recommend amucosal biopsy. A punch-like device extracts a small sample of tongue tissue to examine under the microscope.
There are several conditions that mimic transient lingual papillitis.
Your healthcare provider may want to explore the following conditions as part of adifferential diagnosis:
Treatment of Bumps on the Tongue
Some bumps on the tongue go away within hours to a few days and usually don’t need medical treatment. However, to ease the pain and discomfort, your healthcare provider may suggest:
Eruptive transient lingual papillitis may requireantibioticsto treat an underlying bacterial infection.(Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.)
Do Not PopA bump on your tongue may look like a pimple (especially with eruptive lingual papillitis), but it is not.Do not pop or squeeze it as you may end up damaging the tissues and increasing the risk of infection.
Do Not Pop
A bump on your tongue may look like a pimple (especially with eruptive lingual papillitis), but it is not.Do not pop or squeeze it as you may end up damaging the tissues and increasing the risk of infection.
Summary
Transient lingual papillitis, or lie bumps, are inflamed and sometimes painful taste buds. They come in several types, each with its own appearance and symptoms.
Triggers of transient lingual papillitis include infection, stress, poor nutrition, allergies, trauma to the tongue, smoking, and spicy or acidic food. In many cases, the underlying cause is unknown.
Lie bumps are generally diagnosed based on their appearance. The bumps will likely go away within a few days without medical treatment. You can help relieve pain with rinses, oral medication, and topical steroids.
8 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.Kalogirou EM, Tosios Kl, Nikitakis NG, Kamperos G, Sklavounou A.Transient lingual papillitis: a retrospective study of 11 cases and review of the literature.Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(1):e157-e162. doi:10.4317/jced.53283Núñez Amin Dick T, Rocha Santos L, Carneiro S, et al.Investigation of oral atopic diseases: correlation between geographic tongue and fungiform papillary glossitis.J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;122(3):283-288. doi:10.1016/j.jormas.2020.05.025Mondal A, Kumar P.Eruptive lingual papillitis.Indian Pediatr. 2014;51(3):243.DermNet NZ.Transient lingual papillitis.Raji K, Ranario J, Ogunmakin K.Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire: A case of transient lingual papillitis following consumption of an Atomic Fireball.Dermatol Online J.2016;22(5).Nuño González A, Magaletskyy K, Martín Carrillo P, et al.Are oral mucosal changes a sign of COVID-19? A cross-sectional study at a field hospital.Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2021 Feb 27;112(7):640–4. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2021.02.007Sloan B.Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption secondary to SARS-CoV-2.J Am Acad Dermatol.2022 Mar;86(3):530–531. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.031Halwani MA.Non-painful severe variant form of eruptive lingual papillitis: a case report and literature review.Dermatol Reports.2021 Aug 1;13(2):9020. doi:10.4081/dr.2021.9020
8 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.Kalogirou EM, Tosios Kl, Nikitakis NG, Kamperos G, Sklavounou A.Transient lingual papillitis: a retrospective study of 11 cases and review of the literature.Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(1):e157-e162. doi:10.4317/jced.53283Núñez Amin Dick T, Rocha Santos L, Carneiro S, et al.Investigation of oral atopic diseases: correlation between geographic tongue and fungiform papillary glossitis.J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;122(3):283-288. doi:10.1016/j.jormas.2020.05.025Mondal A, Kumar P.Eruptive lingual papillitis.Indian Pediatr. 2014;51(3):243.DermNet NZ.Transient lingual papillitis.Raji K, Ranario J, Ogunmakin K.Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire: A case of transient lingual papillitis following consumption of an Atomic Fireball.Dermatol Online J.2016;22(5).Nuño González A, Magaletskyy K, Martín Carrillo P, et al.Are oral mucosal changes a sign of COVID-19? A cross-sectional study at a field hospital.Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2021 Feb 27;112(7):640–4. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2021.02.007Sloan B.Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption secondary to SARS-CoV-2.J Am Acad Dermatol.2022 Mar;86(3):530–531. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.031Halwani MA.Non-painful severe variant form of eruptive lingual papillitis: a case report and literature review.Dermatol Reports.2021 Aug 1;13(2):9020. doi:10.4081/dr.2021.9020
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.
Kalogirou EM, Tosios Kl, Nikitakis NG, Kamperos G, Sklavounou A.Transient lingual papillitis: a retrospective study of 11 cases and review of the literature.Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(1):e157-e162. doi:10.4317/jced.53283Núñez Amin Dick T, Rocha Santos L, Carneiro S, et al.Investigation of oral atopic diseases: correlation between geographic tongue and fungiform papillary glossitis.J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;122(3):283-288. doi:10.1016/j.jormas.2020.05.025Mondal A, Kumar P.Eruptive lingual papillitis.Indian Pediatr. 2014;51(3):243.DermNet NZ.Transient lingual papillitis.Raji K, Ranario J, Ogunmakin K.Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire: A case of transient lingual papillitis following consumption of an Atomic Fireball.Dermatol Online J.2016;22(5).Nuño González A, Magaletskyy K, Martín Carrillo P, et al.Are oral mucosal changes a sign of COVID-19? A cross-sectional study at a field hospital.Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2021 Feb 27;112(7):640–4. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2021.02.007Sloan B.Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption secondary to SARS-CoV-2.J Am Acad Dermatol.2022 Mar;86(3):530–531. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.031Halwani MA.Non-painful severe variant form of eruptive lingual papillitis: a case report and literature review.Dermatol Reports.2021 Aug 1;13(2):9020. doi:10.4081/dr.2021.9020
Kalogirou EM, Tosios Kl, Nikitakis NG, Kamperos G, Sklavounou A.Transient lingual papillitis: a retrospective study of 11 cases and review of the literature.Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(1):e157-e162. doi:10.4317/jced.53283
Núñez Amin Dick T, Rocha Santos L, Carneiro S, et al.Investigation of oral atopic diseases: correlation between geographic tongue and fungiform papillary glossitis.J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;122(3):283-288. doi:10.1016/j.jormas.2020.05.025
Mondal A, Kumar P.Eruptive lingual papillitis.Indian Pediatr. 2014;51(3):243.
DermNet NZ.Transient lingual papillitis.
Raji K, Ranario J, Ogunmakin K.Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire: A case of transient lingual papillitis following consumption of an Atomic Fireball.Dermatol Online J.2016;22(5).
Nuño González A, Magaletskyy K, Martín Carrillo P, et al.Are oral mucosal changes a sign of COVID-19? A cross-sectional study at a field hospital.Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2021 Feb 27;112(7):640–4. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2021.02.007
Sloan B.Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption secondary to SARS-CoV-2.J Am Acad Dermatol.2022 Mar;86(3):530–531. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.031
Halwani MA.Non-painful severe variant form of eruptive lingual papillitis: a case report and literature review.Dermatol Reports.2021 Aug 1;13(2):9020. doi:10.4081/dr.2021.9020
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
