A swollen tongue, or glossitis, can make you uncomfortable, make it hard to talk or eat, and can even change the color of your tongue. It can be a small problem or a big problem. Swelling can make your tongue hurt, make it hard to do everyday things, or make it hard to breathe. It’s important to know what causes this problem, what it looks like, and how to treat it so you can feel better.
What is a Swollen Tongue?
A swollen tongue refers to a condition where the tongue increases in size or becomes more red in appearance. This swelling can be painful and may cause difficulty in speaking or eating. The swelling can occur rapidly or develop gradually over time, and it may involve the entire tongue or be localized to specific areas.
What Causes a Swollen Tongue?
Swollen tongues can be caused by many things. It’s important to find out what’s causing the swelling so it can be treated properly. Some common causes are:
1. Allergic Reactions
Food Allergies:Â Eating some foods can make your tongue swell if you have allergies. Some people have bad allergies that can make their tongue swell up a lot.
Medication Allergies: Sometimes your tongue can get swollen if you take a medicine that you’re allergic to. Antibiotics and other drugs like NSAIDs can cause your tongue to swell up if you’re allergic.
Insect Stings or Bites:Â If an insect bites or stings you in or near your mouth, it can make your mouth area swell. This is because of the way your body reacts to the venom or saliva from the insect bite, which can either stay in the area where you got bitten, or spread throughout your whole body.
2. Infections
Oral Infections:Â Germs like bacteria, viruses, or fungi can get into the mouth and make the tongue swell up. This happens when an infection develops in the mouth. An infection can cause the tongue to get red, painful, and swell up.
Systemic Infections:Â Tongue swelling can be caused by some diseases, like strep throat, mononucleosis, or hand, foot, and mouth disease. These diseases can affect the whole body, not just the tongue. The swelling is a symptom of these diseases, which means that the tongue gets bigger and may be painful.
3. Trauma or Irritation
Injuries:Â Injuries to the mouth can make part of it swell up. This can happen when you bite your tongue, burn yourself with hot food, or use a dental appliance with sharp edges.
Irritation:Â Smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating spicy foods can make your tongue hurt and make it swell up.
4. Medical Conditions
Angioedema:Â Angioedema is a type of swelling that happens fast. It's often caused by an allergic reaction, and it can make your tongue swell up.
Hypothyroidism:Â When your thyroid gland is not working right, it can make your tongue swell up. This is called hypothyroidism, which means that your thyroid is not active enough.
Amyloidosis:Â Amyloidosis is a rare condition where some proteins that aren't supposed to be there build up in the body. This can happen in the tongue and cause swelling.
Vitamin Deficiencies:Â If your body doesn't have enough of certain vitamins and minerals, like iron, folate, or vitamin B12, it can cause inflammation and swelling of the tongue. This happens when your diet doesn't provide enough of these nutrients.
5. Medications or Treatments
ACE Inhibitors:Â Some drugs for high blood pressure, like ACE inhibitors, can cause your skin to swell up. This is called angioedema. It often happens around the eyes and lips, and can happen in the throat too. If this happens, you should go to the doctor right away because it can be very dangerous.
Chemotherapy or Radiation: Treatments for cancer like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, can make the tongue swollen and painful. This happens because these treatments aim to kill cancer cells, which grow fast. But they can also affect healthy cells in the mouth, making the tongue swollen and painful. This can make it hard to eat, talk, and keep the mouth clean.
6. Autoimmune Disorders
Some medical conditions, like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, or pemphigus, can make the tongue swell. This happens because these conditions affect the whole body, and the tongue is just one of the many parts that can be affected.
7. Genetic Conditions
Some people might be born with certain health problems that make their tongue swell. These health problems are passed down in families, such as Down syndrome or a problem with the thyroid gland.
8. Tumors or Growths
If there is a tumor or unusual growth on the tongue or nearby, it can cause swelling in that area. These tumors can be benign, which means they are not cancerous and usually less aggressive, or malignant, meaning they are cancerous and possibly more dangerous.
Symptoms Associated with a Swollen Tongue
If your tongue is swollen, you might notice some changes. These changes depend on what's causing the swelling. Some common signs of a swollen tongue are:
1. Localized Symptoms
If you have a swollen tongue, you might notice some changes just in that area. Your tongue might look red or have white patches, feel sore or tender, or even feel like it's burning. Eating, drinking, and talking can make it hurt more. Sometimes, your mouth might feel dry, and your tongue might feel smooth or rough. It might also be hard to move your tongue the way you usually do.
2. Systemic Symptoms
If the tongue swelling is part of a larger problem, you might notice other issues, too. If you're having trouble breathing, that's a big deal and you should see a doctor right away. You might also have trouble swallowing, changes in your speech, or you might have a fever, rash, or hives, which could be signs of an allergic reaction.
3. Oral and Facial Symptoms
Sometimes, when your tongue is swollen, other parts of your mouth or face might be swollen too, like your lips, cheeks, or throat. You might also have sores or bleeding on your tongue, or a lot of extra saliva in your mouth. These symptoms can make it hard to do everyday things like eating and talking.
4. Emergency Symptoms
A swollen tongue can be really dangerous if it happens very quickly. If the swelling is in your throat or face, that means it could be a very bad allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If your tongue turns blue or purple, that could mean your body isn't getting enough oxygen. This can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. If you have these symptoms, it's important to get help right away so things don't get worse, like your airway getting blocked.
5. Other Associated Signs
If your tongue is swollen, there might be other things going on with your tongue that can tell you what is wrong. For example, if your tongue looks smooth or shiny, this might mean you are not getting enough of certain vitamins or minerals like B12 or iron. You might also feel tired or weak if you have a swelling problem because of other health problems like anemia or not eating enough. These other signs can help your doctor figure out what is wrong with you and how to make you better.
Diagnosing a Swollen Tongue
To find the cause of a swollen tongue, the doctor will do some steps to figure out what is wrong. This is what they will do to find out what is wrong:
1. Medical History
To figure out why your tongue is swollen, your doctor will ask you a lot of questions. They will want to know if you've had any recent injuries, allergic reactions, infections, or if you've taken any new medications. They will also ask if you've had any other symptoms like trouble breathing, fever, skin rashes, or if your tongue looks different. Knowing about your overall health and any other health problems you have can help your doctor figure out what is wrong.
2. Physical Examination
The doctor will then look at your tongue and the area around it. They will check to see if it is red, discolored, swollen in certain places, or has any sores on it. They will also look at your lips, throat, and face to see if there is any other swelling or strange things going on. This will help them figure out if you have a condition like angioedema (swelling in the skin), an infection, or a reaction that is happening throughout your body.
3. Laboratory Tests
Lab tests, like blood tests or a swab of the tongue, can help find the reason why your tongue is swollen. Blood tests can find things like infections, low vitamin levels, or other problems in your body. If doctors think it might be an allergy, they might do allergy tests. Swabbing your tongue can find germs or bugs that might be making you sick.
4. Imaging Studies
If doctors can't figure out why your tongue is swollen, they might do some tests to take pictures of your body. These tests, like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, can show if there are any problems with your tongue or nearby areas. These tests are usually done if doctors think there might be something more serious happening with your tongue.
5. Biopsy
If your tongue is still swollen and the doctors can't figure out why, they might need to take a small piece of your tongue to look at it in a lab. This can help them rule out things like rare diseases or even cancer. The doctors will only do this if they really need to, because it can be a bit uncomfortable.
Treatment for a Swollen Tongue
If your tongue is swollen, doctors will try to find the cause so they can make your tongue better and keep you from getting sicker. Depending on why your tongue is swollen, here are some things doctors might do:
1. Medications
Anti-Allergy Medications:Â If the swelling is because of an allergy, the doctor might give you medicine that helps stop the allergic reaction. These are called antihistamines or corticosteroids. They can help the swelling go down and make it less painful. If the allergy is very bad, like if you're having trouble breathing or your face is swelling up, you might need an injection (a shot) of a medicine called epinephrine right away.
Antibiotics or Antifungals:Â If a germ or a fungus is causing your tongue to swell, doctors will give you medicines called antibiotics or antifungals. These medicines are made to get rid of the germs or fungus and make your tongue feel better.
Pain Relievers:Â You can use over-the-counter or prescription painkillers to help manage pain and discomfort from swelling. These medicines can provide relief for people with these symptoms due to different conditions or injuries.
Supplementation:Â If you are missing certain vitamins or minerals from your diet, taking pills with these things in them can help with the swelling. For example, if you don't have enough vitamin B12, iron, or folate, you can take a pill that has these in it to help make the swelling go away.
2. Home Care and Remedies
Cold Compress:Â Putting a cold pack, like a bag of ice or cold cloth, on the swollen part of your body can make it feel better for a little while. If you don't have a cold pack, you can put an ice cube in your mouth and suck on it. This can help make the swelling go down for a short time.
Hydration:Â Drinking a lot of water can help your body get rid of the things that are causing the swelling and can make you feel better. Water helps your body to flush out the toxins that can cause swelling. It also helps to keep your body hydrated, which can reduce irritation.
Avoid Triggers:Â If there are certain foods, drinks, or medicines that make the swelling worse, try to stay away from them. If you know that something makes the swelling worse, it's best to avoid it so that the swelling doesn't get worse.
Good Oral Hygiene:Â Keeping your mouth clean and healthy can help to stop infections from happening. Brush your teeth gently, using a soft toothbrush. Use a mild mouthwash to rinse your mouth, which can help to keep your mouth clean.
3. Lifestyle Changes
Dietary Adjustments:Â To keep your tongue healthy and stop it from getting too big, try not to eat foods that are really hot, very sour, or make you sneeze or get itchy.
Smoking and Alcohol Cessation: You can make your tongue feel better and get rid of the swelling if you stop smoking and drinking alcohol. That's because these things can make the problem worse, and not using them can help your tongue get better.
4. Emergency Treatment
Airway Support:Â If your tongue swelling is so bad that it's hard for you to breathe, you need to get medical help right away. Doctors can help you breathe by giving you oxygen, putting a tube in your throat so you can breathe, or making a small cut in your neck to help air go in and out. This can keep you safe and make sure you can breathe.
Epinephrine:Â If you're having a really bad allergic reaction that's putting your life in danger, you might need to get a shot of epinephrine (also called adrenaline). This shot can help stop the swelling and make your body work normally again. It's super important to get this shot as soon as you can if you're having a bad allergic reaction.
5. Specialized Treatments
Surgery or Biopsy:Â If you have a lump, a problem with how your tongue is made, or if it keeps being swollen, you might need to have surgery. The doctor can take out the thing that's making your tongue swell, like a tumor, or fix the problem that's making it swollen.
Management of Chronic Conditions: If your tongue swelling is caused by a problem with your immune system or your whole body, like an autoimmune disease or another kind of problem, the doctor will focus on treating that problem. They might use medicine or ask you to change how you live to make the swelling go away. This can help you get better and make sure the swelling doesn't come back.
Preventing a Swollen Tongue
To prevent your tongue from swelling, take steps to avoid triggers and stay healthy. By making good lifestyle choices, eating well, and taking care of yourself, you can lower the chances of tongue swelling and related problems.
1. Avoid Allergens and Irritants
If you know what makes you allergic, like certain foods, medicines, or things in the air, try to stay away from them. Always read the label when you buy food, and tell your doctor if you're allergic to a medicine. Also, try to stay away from things like tobacco, alcohol, and mouthwashes that can irritate your tongue.
2. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Taking care of your mouth is very important to stop infections that can make your tongue swell. Brush your teeth twice a day, clean between your teeth with floss, and use a mouthwash that doesn't have harsh chemicals in it. Make sure your braces or dentures fit right and don't hurt your tongue. All of these things can help keep your mouth clean and healthy and can help stop your tongue from getting infected.
3. Stay Hydrated
Drinking a lot of water is really important for keeping your mouth healthy. It helps your mouth make saliva, which keeps your tongue from getting dry and hurt. When your mouth is dry, it can get cracked and hurt, so drinking water is important for that too. And if your mouth is healthy, it's less likely to have problems like a swollen tongue.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating healthy food is important for keeping your tongue healthy. You need to eat foods that have vitamins like B12, iron, and folate. If you don't get enough of these vitamins, your tongue can get swollen. Eating healthy also helps your body stay healthy, which makes it less likely that your tongue will get swollen.
5. Manage Medical Conditions
If you have long-term health conditions, like problems with your thyroid, autoimmune disease, or diabetes, you need to work with your doctor to keep it under control. If you can manage your condition well, it's less likely that your tongue will swell up as a result.
6. Use Medications Wisely
If you have to take medicine, you need to take it exactly like your doctor tells you to. And you should be careful about taking over-the-counter drugs too. Some medicines can make your tongue swell up, so it's important to tell your doctor if that happens. Your doctor might be able to find another medicine for you that won't make your tongue swell.
7. Be Prepared for Allergic Reactions
If you've had a severe allergic reaction in the past, you need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector, like an EpiPen, with you at all times. It's also a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet so people know that you might have an allergic reaction. If you have a reaction that causes your tongue to swell, you can use the epinephrine auto-injector to stop it quickly.
When to See a Doctor
You should go to the doctor if you have a swollen tongue and if any of these things happen:
Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing: If your tongue is so swollen that it's hard to breathe or swallow, you need to go to the hospital right away. This could be a sign of a really bad allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, or it could mean that your airway is blocked. Both of these things need to be treated right away, so don't wait to get help.
Rapid Onset of Swelling:Â If your tongue starts to swell up really fast, especially if your lips, throat, or face swell up too, you need to get help right away. This could be a sign of a serious problem, like a bad allergic reaction or a reaction to some medicines. If this happens, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
Persistent or Worsening Symptoms:Â If your tongue stays swollen for a long time, or if it gets worse over time, you need to go to the doctor. This could be a sign of an infection, a lack of vitamins or minerals, or a serious disease. You need to go to the doctor so they can find out what's wrong and make you better.
Associated Systemic Symptoms:Â If you have a fever, skin rashes, tiredness, or losing weight for no reason, along with a swollen tongue, you should go to the doctor. These things could be signs of an infection, a problem with your immune system, or a disease that affects your whole body. You need to go to the doctor so they can figure out what's going on and make you better.
Pain, Ulcers, or Discoloration: If your tongue is in a lot of pain, or if there are sores on your tongue that bleed, or if your tongue changes color (like white patches, red spots, or a blue tint), you need to go to the doctor. These things could be signs of an infection, cancer in your mouth, or an illness that makes your body hurt. You need to go to the doctor so they can find out what's wrong and make you better.
Speech or Movement Problems:Â If the swelling in your tongue makes it hard for you to talk or move your tongue, you should see a doctor. If you can't move your tongue well, it can make it hard to do things you need to do every day. This could be a sign of a more serious problem.
If your tongue is swollen or if you’re worried about your health, Volusia Medical Center is here to help. Our team of doctors and nurses is ready to help you with whatever you need. We’ll listen to your concerns and figure out the best way to make you feel better. Contact us today and schedule a consultation to meet your needs and ensure your health.
Conclusion
A swollen tongue can happen for a lot of different reasons, like allergies or infections. Knowing what causes it and how to treat it can help make the swelling go away and keep it from getting worse. If your tongue stays swollen or gets worse, you should go to a doctor. They can help you figure out what's wrong and get better.
FAQs
1. Why is my tongue swollen?
There are lots of reasons why your tongue might be swollen. It could be because you're allergic to something, you have an infection, you hurt your tongue, or you're not getting enough vitamins and minerals.
2. How do I know if my tongue is swollen?
You can tell if your tongue is swollen if it looks bigger than usual, if you have a hard time talking or swallowing, or if it hurts when you touch it.
3. What does a swollen tongue look like?
A swollen tongue might look different from its normal size, shape, and color. It might be bigger, redder, have different colors, or even look smooth.
4. Is a swollen tongue dangerous?
A swollen tongue can be dangerous if it's so big that it makes it hard for you to breathe or swallow. If this happens, you should go to the hospital right away.
5. How do I reduce tongue swelling at home?
If your tongue is just a little bit swollen, you can put something cold on it, like an ice pack or a cold washcloth. You can also try to stay away from things that might make your tongue swell more, like spicy food or cigarettes. And make sure you drink lots of water. This can help your tongue get better.