There is a small bump on the left side of the tongue. What is the cause of the pain?
A small bump on the left side of the tongue may be caused by trauma, lobular papillitis, or papillary hyperplasia of the tongue.
1. Trauma: It may occur when eating, due to improper chewing, biting the tongue, or piercing the tongue with a hard object, resulting in a local hematoma. A small lump may be felt, generally accompanied by obvious pain, which intensifies when stimulated.
2. Lobular Papillitis: Mostly occurs on the side of the tongue, possibly caused by irritation from pharyngeal inflammation. It can easily lead to local significant congestion and swelling, and cause lymphatic return obstruction, resulting in a small lump on the tongue accompanied by pain. In severe cases, it may be accompanied by hypogeusia.
3. Papillary Hyperplasia of the Tongue: The specific cause is unclear. It is generally considered to be related to viral infections, environmental factors, or poor habits, leading to excessive proliferation of the tongue epithelium and the formation of benign tumors. If there is local inflammation, it may cause pain. It may also be caused by burning mouth syndrome.
It is recommended to visit the oral department of the hospital to identify the cause.
