Transient Lingual Papillitis (Lie Bumps)

What is transient lingual papillitis (lie bumps)?

Transient lingual papillitis (also known as lie bumps or liar’s tongue) happens when something irritates your papillae, the tiny bumps that cover your tongue and contain your taste buds. In this condition, irritated papillae start to swell and make noticeable, painful bumps on your tongue. Transient lingual papillitis gets its alternative name from a superstition that it only affects people when they lie.

How common is this condition?

Experts believe it’s common, but they can’t say how often lie bumps happen. Symptoms often go away within a few days so people may not get a formal diagnosis unless they decide to talk to a healthcare provider.

What are the symptoms of transient lingual papillitis?

Transient lingual papillitis symptoms vary depending on the type of condition that you have. Common symptoms include:

• Tiny red, white or yellowish bumps on the sides, tip or back of your tongue.
• Sharp pain.
• Burning sensation.

Types of transient lingual papillitis

Different types of this condition have different symptoms. These include:

• Classic: The most common type of transient lingual papillitis, it causes one or more painful red or white bumps on the tip or sides of your tongue.
• Eruptive: It typically affects children. Along with the characteristic red and white bumps, eruptive lingual papillitis symptoms include fever and swollen lymph nodes. Eruptive lingual papillitis may be contagious.
• U-shaped: Symptoms include macroglossia (enlarged tongue) and spots on your tongue. It may be a COVID-19 symptom.
• Papulokeratonic: It causes white and yellow bumps that cover your whole tongue.

What causes lie bumps?

Research shows many things may irritate or inflame your papillae so that you develop transient lingual papillitis. For example, one study details how a woman developed transient lingual papillitis after eating a hard candy made with cinnamon and chili peppers — two substances that can trigger contact dermatitis in people’s mouths. Other, more common causes include:

• Trauma like biting your tongue.
• Stress.
• Viral infections.
• Hormonal fluctuations.
• Food allergies.
• Atopic diseases like atopic dermatitis.
• Braces or orthodontics that may irritate your tongue.
• Toothpaste, mouthwash or dental treatments to whiten your teeth.

How is transient lingual papillitis diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose this condition by:

• Examining your tongue.
• Asking how long you’ve had symptoms.
• Asking if you noticed symptoms after eating or drinking specific foods or liquids or using a specific toothpaste or mouthwash.

How is transient lingual papillitis treated?

Treatment varies depending on your situation. Often, transient lingual papillitis goes away without treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
• Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.
• Avoiding things that irritate your tongue like spicy foods and liquids or any substance that seems to trigger transient lingual papillitis.

What can I expect if I have transient lingual papillitis?

Typically, transient lingual papillitis symptoms go away within a few days to a week. But it can come back, particularly if you aren’t sure what triggered it and you don’t know what to avoid.

How do I take care of myself?

If you have transient lingual papillitis, the most important thing you can do is to leave the bumps alone. Yes, they look like tongue pimples. And yes, you may have an urge to pop them. Resist that urge. Unlike skin pimples, which happen when you have gunk trapped in one of your pores, the painful red and white bumps are part of your tongue and not for popping.

If you have transient lingual papillitis, you should avoid things that you know trigger the condition. For example, consider avoiding:

• Spicy foods.
• Acidic foods and drinks, like those made with lots of citrus fruit or vinegar.
• Food and drinks made with lots of sugar or honey.
• Any toothpaste or mouthwash that irritates your papillae.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Transient lingual papillitis isn’t a serious condition and often goes away without medical treatment. That said, talk to a healthcare provider anytime you notice changes in your tongue, gums or mouth that don’t go away after two weeks.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• What kind of transient lingual papillitis do I have?
• Will I need treatment?
• Will it come back?
• What can I do to keep transient lingual papillitis from coming back?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Lie bumps or liar’s tongue are colorful names for a common condition that affects your tongue. In transient lingual papillitis, you have tiny, painful bumps on your tongue. According to superstition, the tongue bumps happen when you tell a lie. In truth, they happen when something irritates your papillae, the tiny bumps that cover your tongue and contain your taste buds. Transient lingual papillitis may be painful and annoying, but it isn’t a serious medical issue and often clears up on its own. That said, talk to a healthcare provider if a bump on your tongue doesn’t go away.