Acid bumps are painful, enlarged, red and white papillae on the tongue. Bumps that occur on the top, side and bottom of the tongue are actually inflamed and enlarged papillae or taste buds. This happens when there’s excessive amount of acid in the food you eat or there’s been a puncture to a taste bud which irritates the tongue and causes infection.
Acid bumps are characterized by small, white bumps on the base of the tongue. They are usually due to transient lingual papillitis. These bumps can become conspicuously red or white and may be tender for several days. The condition is not contagious and the discomfort is rather small. Normally, the lesions heal in a few days with no treatment at all, though you may have to go to an oral pathologist in long prolonged cases.
What Causes Acid Bumps On Tongue?
Common causes for acid bumps on tongue include:
- Consuming too much food that has excessive amounts of acid.
- Local trauma such as rubbing, scraping or biting.
- Puncture to a taste bud.
- Gastric upset
- Menstruation
- Smoking
Home Remedies To Treat Acid Bumps On Tongue
Acid bumps tend to disappear on their own in about a week; however, if they seem to be causing you discomfort, you can speed things up, using these simple home remedies:
- Ice helps allay discomfort and pain immensely.Rub ice on to the inflamed papillae several times through the day to ease the pain.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water 5 to 6 times every day. Warm water helps decrease the swelling and pain, whilst salt encourages drying of the pus which may be trapped inside the taste bud in case of an infection.
- Experts also recommend milk of magnesia. Apply a small blob of milk of magnesia on to the bump to reduce irritation and counteract the acid in the mouth. It also helps to prevent further damage to the taste buds.
- Eat only soft foods and lots of fluids during the process of healing, which may be from 3 – 7 days. Avoid all foods and drinks which are too acidic such as limes, lemons, tomatoes, and sodas. Also, steer clear of spicy foods and sour foods. These foods will further irritate and inflame the infection and aggravate the discomfort and the pain.
- Mint is the most beneficial remedy for acid bumps. Mint is a digestive and a carminative. It soothes the gastric lining and helps effectively manage a gastric derangement. Boil about 10 leaves of mint in a glass of water and consume at least twice daily.
- Dates are advocated too. Have 3 to 5 dates daily. It helps ensure smooth and regular bowel movement and prevents gastrointestinal upsets.
- Apply a numbing gel that is prescribed for teething babies to the affected area. This will proffer temporary relief, and also helps form a protective coat around the bump. It encourages quick healing whilst keeping further irritation at bay.
You need to confer with your physician in case the acid bump does not heal in 10 days and in case you are prone to recurrent frequent bouts of the condition.