Tongue bumps and pain are considered to be glossitis. Glossitis is a chronic inflammation of the tongue, manifesting as small purple-red and smooth spots with spontaneous pain, burning sensation, or numbness. The causes of glossitis are related to malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, endocrine disorders, and other factors. Treatment should be based on the underlying causes to resolve the pain. Clinical Manifestations of Glossitis:
1. The disease often occurs in the anterior part of the tongue, especially the tip and edge of the tongue, and is particularly obvious in the anterior half of the tongue. It causes numbness, burning pain, and pain during eating. Sometimes it is accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth due to reduced saliva. The course of the disease is prolonged, with alternating remission and exacerbation.
2. Initially, there are several smooth red spots on the tongue surface, resembling glazed enamel, or most of the tongue surface resembles beef, purple-red and smooth. Superficial ulcers or recurrent follicular stomatitis often occur on these lesions or normal tongue surfaces. Similar changes may also occur in the vagina of female patients.
3. The filiform papillae of the tongue can atrophy, become thinner, or disappear, making the tongue surface fiery red with shallow fissures. In the early stages of filiform papilla atrophy, the fungiform papillae swell and become more prominent, gradually atrophying later, eventually forming a "smooth tongue".
4. Atrophic glossitis is often a significant symptom of critical illness and can also be a terminal manifestation.
5. If glossitis is accompanied by angular cheilitis, chapping, or red, dry, and peeling lips, as well as balanitis, it suggests a riboflavin deficiency.
6. In pernicious anemia, tongue atrophy may be accompanied by painful, purple-red, chronic erosive patches. The filiform papillae disappear or become thinner, while the fungiform papillae swell and are sensitive to irritating foods, known as Hunter's glossitis. This erosion mainly occurs on the tip, edge, and surface of the tongue, occasionally on the lips, cheeks, and maxillary mucosa.
Treatment of Glossitis:
Treatment should be targeted at the underlying causes, including examining and actively treating systemic diseases such as anemia and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Antibiotics should be used rationally, nutrition and diet should be adjusted appropriately, and adequate B vitamins, especially vitamin B2 (riboflavin), should be supplemented.
