Red Spots On Tongue : Causes ,Symptoms & Home Remedies

Red bumps or spots on the tongue is a common problem. People often get this and is accompanied by mild pain, inflammation, and redness.

These spots may differ in size and their pain-causing range. Different kinds of spots might be symptomatic of different ailments in your body.

Down below is a list of causes of the red spot on the tongue and some effective home remedies to treat them.

What Are Red Spots On The Tongue?

Fungiform papillae are often known as the red spots on the tongue. They occur on the uppermost surface of the tongue. They’re of a similar color as the tongue, and under any usual circumstances, they often go unnoticeable.

They give your tongue a rough texture as it reacts with temperature sensors on your tongue.

Papillae may become significantly enlarged for numerous reasons. Most of the time, these specific reasons might not be serious. See the doctor if the bumps are spreading, growing or troubles you while eating.

Is It Normal To Have Red Spots On The Tongue, Under, The Back Tip Of Tongue?

Anyone can have red spots on tongue, i.e., it can happen to anyone right down from kids to adults. However, some causes of Kawasaki disease or hand foot and mouth is known to affect kids, particularly those below five years.

The appearance of the red dots on the tongue may vary in size, form, and color (e.g., light red, dark red). Majority of the people report tiny red spots on their tongue whereas many others report huge red spots or dots.

Moreover, the quality of dots or spots could also vary, i. e. they could either be clustered or equally distributed all over the tongue.

These red tongue spots might be bumpy or flat and could pop out on any a part of the tongue- Upper surface,  the lower surface, sides as well as the tip of the tongue.

In some cases, the red spots canal appear on the tongue and roof of the mouth, on gums, inner cheeks, inner lips, or maybe on your lips.

Common Causes For Red Spots On Tongue

There can be the plethora of reasons for the red spots on the tongue, which might not necessarily root in STD, HIV or any other life-threatening ailments. down below the prime causes for the same are explained:

1. Inflamed papillae

A common reason for painful red dots on the tongue is inflamed papillae. This is caused due to burns caused by consumption of extremely spicy & hot food or beverages, accidentally biting your tongue, other injuries. Smokers usually get these dots and most of the times they are self-healing.¹

2. Strawberry Tongue

A common reason for red dots on the tongue is due to a condition referred to as strawberry tongue. In case you have it, your tongue can change from pink color to red/strawberry color with enlarged, red style buds dotting the surface, i.e., your style buds enlarge and appear as red dots on your tongue surface.

Possible causes of strawberry tongue signify the lack of nutrient B-12 and B-complex vitamin, benign migratory inflammation, or scarlatina.

3. Scarlet Fever

One of the other possible reasons for the red spots on your tongue might be scarlatina.

Scarlatina could either be due to microorganism pharyngitis or strep throat or streptococcus tonsilitis or septic inflammatory diseases or a sore throat or pharyngitis or raw throat infection caused by the varied strains of strep.

If you have scarlatina, your tongue might become pale and coated with red spots.

The mild red rash can appear on your upper chest and neck before spreading to other body parts such as your tongue, lips, nose, etc. They appear like sandpaper.

Other symptoms of scarlatina can be the inflammatory disease, fever, headache, feeling unwell or nausea.

4. Kawasaki Sickness

This is a contagious sickness that affects children mainly below the age of five years. It affects their humor nodes, skin and mouth.

It causes fever, swollen feet soles, and palms to turn to purple, swollen humor nodes, swollen tongue with a white coating and massive red bumps, red dry cracked lips, rashes on the chest, genital area and abdomen, severely red eyes, etc.²

If untreated, it may cause complications as well as blood vessels inflammation or arrhythmias whenever heartbeat pattern is interfered with.

5. Oral Cancer

Oral cancer tends to affect various components of your mouth, lips front of your tongue as well as the underneath it. Cancer on the rear of the tongue or base is taken into account as a part of neck and throat cancer.

In the early stages, the sore mouth doesn’t cause any pain, and it can begin as a tiny spot on your tongue, i.e. flat, painless white or red spot.

It’s quite common to misinterpret cancer with a chilly sore mouth. To be certain it is cancer, the symptoms you should look for includes:

• Sores in your mouth especially on your tongue won’t go away easily and are tend to bleed often.
• Tenderness, pain, and numbness in any part of your mouth or lips.
• Suffering pain in eating, chewing, speaking and jaw or tongue movement.³
• The constant feeling that something is stuck in your throat.
• Squamous cells (flat cells on mouth surface).

You might need to go under Carcinoma treatment which is done by therapy, radiotherapy, surgery and targeted drug medical aid. The alternative conditions to look at for include:

• Erythroleukoplakia – This comprises of red and white patches on the tongue that tends to be cancerous. In case you’ve got them, and they last for over two weeks, get checked.
• Erythroplakia – These are bright red patches in the mouth and tongue that are a malignant neoplasm, i.e., about 75 to 90 % cases of erythroplakia are cancerous; therefore you must not ignore any red-colored spots in your mouth.

6. Canker Sores

Most people often confuse canker sores to be cancerous since they’re painful. However, that’s not the case. Canker sores ought to heal in 2 weeks. If the issue doesn’t get resolved by that time, you should consider taking an Orthodontist’s appointment.

7. Digestive Disorders Like Acid Reflux

Having acidity results in red dots or bumps on your tongue once the acid regurgitates from the abdomen reaches your tongue surface.

Common symptoms of acid reflux included symptoms such as regurgitation, bloating, bloody stool, hiccups, dysphagia, etc.

8. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reaction to numerous allergens like pet dander, food, medication, etc. can cause swollen tongue which is as bad as red dots on your tongue.⁴
Allergies can produce other symptoms like cutaneous sensation mouth, swollen lip, face or throat, wheezing, trouble in respiratory, nasal congestion, dizziness, hives, etc.

9. Vitamin Deficiency and Anemia

Lack of vitamins, especially the one rich in vitamin B-12, leads to red spots on the tongue. Make sure to have the diet rich in vitamin B-12 that embodies shellfish, liver, mackerel fish, crustaceans, fortified soy merchandise, fortified cereals, red meat, milk, cheese, and eggs.

There is a link between red spots on the tongue and Anemia. A first common symptom of Anemia could be a sleek red strapping tongue, heartburn, nausea, depression, confusion, right ear hearing loss, etc. It’s caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 and iron.

11. Strep Throat

If you notice you’ve got prickly little red dots (petechiae) on your tongue, particularly at the rear of your tongue, you’ll be having raw throat (a microorganism throat infection).

You can usually see a swollen flap of little red dots on the rear of the tongue and throat.

Common symptoms of raw throat include throat pain, headache, rash, little red spots on the tongue, swollen tonsils with white patches and swallowing difficulties amongst others.

12. Lie Bumps or Transient Organ Papillitis

Another reason for very little white or red spots or bumps on the tongue is lying bumps. Once papillae become irritated, they get slightly swollen. This is ordinarily caused by stress, native trauma, ripping style buds, acidic or bitter foods, smoking, catamenia, etc.

13. Red Spots On Tongue STD or Dots

Sometimes, red spots on your tongue may be caused by STDs. Throughout the initial stages; one might possess tiny, painless sores on the tongue, vulva, vagina, lips, cervix, or the area wherever the sickness inflicting bacterium enters the body.

The rash-like rough, red, or sepia spots will appear. At the secondary stage, lesions and sores within the mouth are also common.

However, red dots on tongue do not seem to be an indication of HIV, but a compromised immunity may enable alternative infections to cause the spots.

14. Hand-Foot and Mouth Sickness

This is a sickness that affects kids who are under the age of five years. Hand foot and mouth sickness causes red spots on the tongue, gums or inside the cheeks.

These spots can cause ulcers or blisters that are painful, and it’s alternative symptoms includes the red rash on feet sole, buttock, palm, inflammatory disease and fever.

Other causes of red dots on tongue

15. Eczema

Excessive tongue irritation because of skin disease can create bacterium in your mouth to connect your style buds.

16. Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue gives you a map like a tongue which may have red spots. When they’re small, you’ll have red spots on the tongue with white ring bordering it. This situation is painless.⁵

17. Prolonged alcohol consumption or excessive smoking.

18. Eating excess of spicy foods.

19. Physical injury or trauma, as well as a tongue piercing

20. Asthma

21. Excessive body heat

22. Oral thrush

23. Cold sores

24. Ulcers

It’s advisable to check with an Orthodontist for proper treatment in case you red spots don’t disappear in proper time.

Symptoms Of Red Spots On Tongue

The obvious symptom or sign is the appearance of the red spots or dots on the tongue. The others symptoms are:

i. Mouth sores as well as sore tongue won’t leave simply and tend to bleed quickly.

ii. Tenderness and pain on any part of your mouth or lips.

iii. Pain in eating, chewing, speaking and jaw and tongue movement issues.

iv. An inflammatory disease or feeling that something is stuck in the throat that doesn’t go away.

v. Squamous cells (flat cells on mouth surface).

vi. A  red spot can occur underneath the tongue, the tip of the tongue or, back of the tongue

vii. Swelling and redness

viii.Burning sensation

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Red Spots On Tongue

As this condition will be caused by the variety of reasons; effective treatment of red spots on the tongue is primary to correct the cause.

In case the red dots are a cause of victuals deficiency, then a healthy diet geared toward the inclusion of additional vitamin B and iron made foods is extremely suggested to cure the condition.

Shellfish, red meat, nuts, dried apricots, etc. prove extremely useful in this case. Probiotic foods like yogurt facilitate in fighting infections inflicting red dots on the tongue.

Whatever the cause is, down below are few effective remedies that would give relief from red spots and with time cure them too.

1. Gargle With A Warm Salt Water

A solution of a straightforward isosmotic solution contains some antibacterial drug properties and may additionally assist relieve the presence of red spots on tongue.

It should additionally assist to decrease the other inflammation that comes particularly with the condition.

• Dissolve about 1/2 a teaspoon of salt in a glass of heat water to build an isosmotic solution.
• Gargle a mouthful of the salt water for about thirty seconds and gently spit it out.
• Swish with the salt water solution after each meal to obviate any rubble within the teeth or on the tongue.
• Repeat this procedure for 3-4 times every day till tongue bumps disappear.

2. Drink Cold Or Cool Liquids

There are some studies that counsel that drinking of cool liquids will assist to appease red spots on the tongue and reduces any associated inflammation.

3. Drink Water

To keep your body hydrated, drink a minimum of 8-13 glasses of water every day. People who are too active and pregnant ladies should have up to sixteen cups of water every day.

4. Eat Calming Foods

A number of the doctors might counsel intense calming foods like yogurt. These will assist to cut back any pain or discomfort that you experience caused by red spots on tongue.

• Try to eat foods to reinforce the soothing effects.
• Dairy merchandise like yogurt, ice cream, and milk might assist alleviate the discomfort. Different foods together with pudding or popsicles may additionally assist.
• Applying ice to the affected space to cut back pain and inflammation.

5. DIY Desensitizing Spray

Peppermint and eucalyptus oil each have medicament properties. They operate as anti-microbial agents (thus reducing the probability of infection) to tighten the tissues around the wound.

It helps in relieving discomfort caused by swelling or potential fluid buildup.

The cooling properties of each of these oils may numb the nerve endings which that area dismisses.

You Will Need

• two tablespoons of olive or grapeseed oil
• ten drops of peppermint oil
• eight drops of eucalyptus oil
• A glass man bottle

Direction To Use

• Pour the olive or grapeseed oil into a glass bottle, and add the essential oils.
• Cap, shake well and spray some directly onto the tongue for pain relief. Shake before every use.

6. Herbal Tea Bag

Chamomile consists of many daisy-like plants that most typically induce sleep, promote relaxation, and facilitated with digestion it works a treat with cramping since it will facilitate painful relaxing spasms within the organic process.

A substance referred to as bisabolol, or levomenol is found naturally in Matricaria recutita and has been shown to scale back inflammation and even have antiseptic properties.

Each of those properties can facilitate cutting back the pain and probably facilitate speed the healing method.

You Will Need

• one bag of herb tea, or a tablespoon of dried flowers wrapped in gauze
• Freshwater

Direction To Use

Soak the herb in water for one minute, if employing a tea bag, and 3-4 if the victim of dried flowers. When soaking place it directly against the sore for 5-10 minutes daily to assist relieve discomfort and promote speedy healing.

7. Sage To Remove Red Spot On Tongue

Sage is a herb from the evergreen woody plant. It is used worldwide for cooking and has been current in medical care medication and residential remedies for years.

Native American’s used sage before fashionable medication to assist cleansing the mouth and to heal the painful ulcers. It is an instant remedy to get rid off red spots on the tongue.

You Will Need

• A few contemporary sage OR two teaspoons dried sage
• 4-8 ounces of H2O

Direction To Use

• If you’re a victim of dried sage, boil water and permit the herb to infuse for ten minutes. Swish the water, and also the herb, in your mouth for one minute before expulsing it out and removing with plain cold water.
• Alternatively, you can make a tea-type rinse with contemporary leaves. Swish the liquid (sans the sage) in your mouth for one minute
• Place your sage leaves in a very airtight glass jar in a cool dark place and permit them to infuse for twenty-four hours.

8. Copra Oil To Remove Red Spot Back Of The Tongue

This oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can heal the painful red spots effectively.

You Will Need

• Corpra oil (oil from dried coconut flesh)

Direction To Use

• Use clean hands or a cotton swab, dab an adequate quantity of copra oil on the sore. Try and get a somewhat thick layer.
• Coconut oil melts quickly, and a skinny layer simply appears to slip right off. So, prefer coating it up with a bit of honey for added benefits.

9. Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil contains eugenol, a potent medication, which has been employed by dentists throughout decades to bring relief to patients.

It can relieve toothaches and can help you get rid off red spots too.

You Will Need

• 1/2 teaspoon of oil
• 4-5 drops of clove oil
• Cotton balls
• Warm water/salt water

Direction To Use

• Swish your mouth with salt water to urge the mouth clean, permitting the essential oil to sink in and do its job.
• Combine the essential oil with the oil and soak a cotton swab in it. Apply it on to the sore for 5-8 minutes for desensitizing relief.

10. Honey Rub 

With its medical properties, raw organic honey makes a splendidly soothing coating for a painful red spots.

You Will Need

• A wee dab of organic raw honey
• Warm water

Direction To Use

• Swish some heated water in your mouth and apply a thick dab of organic raw honey onto the sore.
• Reapply it 2-3 times daily (at least one among those times ought to be before night because it tends to do best after you aren’t bothering it by talking or uptake).

11. Wax Cap

If you have got a sore or big red spot on the tongue that keeps rubbing against your tooth, or braces and dentures. Apply a bit of wax capping over the surface to facilitate the cutting back of irritating friction against the sore and facilitate speedy healing.

You Will Need

• one tablespoon of beeswax
• two teaspoons of copra oil

Direction To Use

• Meltdown the beeswax and copra oil and permit the mixture to cool down slightly.
• Once it’s cooled, gently press a small indefinite quantity over the sting of your tooth/braces/dentures to shield the canker sore from rubbing.

12. Cayenne Cream

Cayenne contains a substance referred to as chemical irritant, the same chemical constituent that renders it hot.

Chemical irritant inhibits one thing referred to as Substance P that is responsible for mediating pain responses within the body. Due to this, cayenne makes a good home remedy for canker sores, albeit it appears like the alternative factor you’d need to use!

You Will Need

• Cayenne pepper
• Warm water
• Cotton swabs

Direction To Use

• Mix enough heated water with ground cayenne pepper to make a thick paste.
• Use a cotton swab to apply it onto the canker sore. Reapply it 2-3 times daily for pain relief.

13. Aloe Vera Rinse 

This one is known for its healing and cooling properties. It can help you to cure those bumps on your tongue.

You Will Need

• one teaspoon of burn plant gel
• one tablespoon of water

Direction To Use

Stir the gel into the water and swish it gently over the sore three times a day to ease the pain and facilitate healing.

14. Eat Yogurt

Yogurt is a healthy remedy which will facilitate the balance of bacterium in your mouth which when out of balance could contribute to a bump or red spot on the side or beneath the tongue.

You Will Need

• Plain food with live cultures

Direction To Use

• Make sure the label on the food confirms that it contains live cultures, and make sure you get plain yogurt. Take minimum one tablespoon three times daily.
• Eat a cup and add a bit little bit of raw honey for style and an additional healing boost!

Tips To Get Rid Off Red Bumps Or Spot On the Tongue

Try and avoid acidic foods if you have these, as they’ll prolong healing. It is said that acidic foods could trigger sores. Oddly, some studies suggest that acidic juice (e.g., lemon juice) facilitates the healing.

• Practice effective oral hygiene every day. Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush is a good and easy way to cut back the severity.
• Gently scrape the tongue using a tongue hand tool. This helps to get rid of food particles from the around the bumps and keep the tongue clean.
• Soothe them with topical medical ointment. Rub the ointment directly on the sore, albeit gently, along with MedlinePlus.
• Avoid eating spicy foods. Check the temperature of foods and drink you take in your mouth. For example, hot tea accentuates pain.
• Call your doctor or healthcare supplier if three weeks -a month has passed with no improvement.

When To See The Doctor?

A single painless and persistent red tongue spot requires great attention, proper diagnosis, and evaluation to determine what causes and brings them about if they are clustered.

This is important since some individuals who have had cases of eczema, asthma are reported to have suffered from glossitis or inflammation of tongue which is associated with tongue conditions.⁶

Some symptoms which accompany them are big, patchy, bumpy or small red dots all over the tongue. For a more appropriate method of clearing the symptoms or treating the underlying cause, a clinical test should be carried out.

Follow above remedies and methods to for quick curing of Red spots on tongue, under, the Back tip of Tongue. It is necessary if you are experiencing this symptom. However, If more serious always see your medical doctor.