Common tongue diseases and problems include canker sores, thrush, oral lichen planus, and tongue trauma.
Treatment will vary depending on the specific tongue problem.
In some cases, it will go away on its own or improve with the use of over-the-counter medications.
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However, you may need to see a healthcare provider for more serious tongue diseases or conditions.
Learn more about common causes of tongue diseases, tongue pain, and tongue infections.
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Canker Sores
Canker soresare a very common cause of oral pain.
In fact, about half of people will experience them at one time or another.
They often appear yellowish and look a bit like a pimple in your mouth.
Most of the time, canker sores are less than 1 centimeter (cm) across and appear alone.
However, in about 5% of cases, canker sores can present as a cluster of smaller sores.
Causes
Healthcare providers arent sure what causes canker sores.
In some cases, they can be related to lifestyle factors, like what you eat.
Treatment
Canker sores dont require treatment.
However, over-the-counter medications can help manage the pain of canker sores.
Thrush
Thrushis an oral infection resulting from yeast.
Its rare in healthy adults but very common in newborns and adults with other medical conditions, includingdiabetesandcancer.
What It Is
Thrush is ayeast infectionin the mouth.
Yeast, also known as the fungusCandida, occurs naturally in the mouth.
When it becomes too abundant, it can cause the symptoms of thrush.
The symptoms of thrush include white patches on the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth.
In some cases, you might experience red patches as well.
People with thrush can feel pain when eating or swallowing and may temporarily lose the sense of taste.
Thrush is brought on by an overgrowth of the fungusCandida.
Oral lichen planus can appear on the tongue.
Oral lichen planus is a common dermatological condition.
These sores can produce pain or a burning sensation.
Healthcare providers dont understand exactly what causes lichen planus, but they believe its anautoimmune disease.
In rare cases, lichen planus runs in families.
Lichen planus on the skin is treated using an array or methods, fromantihistaminestosteroidsto light therapy.
Geographic tongue makes the tongue appear patchy, with unpredictable lines similar to those on a map.
The condition comes and goes over time.
Geographic tongue is an aesthetic condition that gives the tongue a patchy appearance but does not affect health.
It occurs in 1%3% of the population.
People with a geographic tongue have a patchwork look to their tongue.
In most people, the tongue is covered in small bumps called papillae.
If your geographic tongue causes you pain, speak with a healthcare provider.
Tongue cancer appears most often in men who are older than 40.
Its five times more likely to occur in smokers than nonsmokers.
Tongue cancer is an abnormal growth of cells on the tongue.
It is a throw in oforal cancer.
The most common symptom of tongue cancer is a red, pink, or greyish bump on the tongue.
Cancerous lesions often bleed easily.
Chewing tobacco also is a significant cause of tongue and other oral cancers.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure is also a strong risk factor for tongue cancer.
It can also present as white or yellow bumps all over the tongue.
With eruptive lingual papillitis, kids can also experience a fever or swollen lymph nodes.
Oftentimes, people with transient lingual papillitis have tongue pain.
Transient lingual papillitis resolves on its own in a matter of days and doesnt requiretreatment.
However, rinsing with salt water and avoiding spicy or hot foods can help the tongue heal.
Tongue Trauma
Tongue trauma can occur when you bite or burn your tongue.
Tongue trauma is an injury that occurs to your tongue.
Tongue trauma can lead topain and bleeding.
Whether youhave a cutor burn, its a good idea to ice your tongue.
This can be done by sucking on a small ice cube or popsicle.
Drinking cool water might also feel soothing.
Vitamin Deficiency
If you do not have enoughvitamin B12, your tongue may change in appearance.
Oral symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can include ared, puffy tongueor patches of red on the tongue.
You may experience burning or pain while eating.
They might also suggest dietary changes to see to it youre getting an adequate amount of B12.
Sjogren’s disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the salivary glands and other moisture-producing glands.
Sjogren’s disease often occurs in people with other autoimmune conditions, likelupusandarthritis.
However, it can also develop on its own.
The oral symptoms of Sjogren’s include extreme dryness in the mouth.
This can make it difficult to even speak, and it can leave the tongue cracked and painful.
Healthcare providers arent sure what causes autoimmune diseases broadly.
However, Sjogren’s disease is due to the salivary glands and other moisture glands not working properly.
Treatments for autoimmune diseases, including steroids and medications, like hydroxychloroquine, can help with Sjogren’s.
Drinking more water and using oral lubricants can also help manage symptoms.
If you believe that you might have Sjogren’s disease, you should speak with a healthcare provider.
Neuralgia
Neuralgiais sudden nerve pain.
It can happen anywhere in the body, including in the mouth and on the tongue.
The pain originates from the glossopharyngeal nerve, also called the ninth cranial nerve.
GN is characterized by short, intense bursts of pain in the mouth or throat.
The pain can last for seconds or minutes, and it usually abates on its own.
The pain might be triggered by certain movements of the mouth, like chewing or speaking.
GN is due to pressure on the ninth cranial nerve, which produces pain in the mouth.
A first-line treatment for GN is medication, which may include anti-seizure medications or antidepressants.
Allergies
Sometimes,allergiesto foods or environmental irritants can cause your tongue to become swollen or itchy.
An allergic reaction to food or environmental irritants can cause your tongue to become itchy or swollen.
The symptoms of allergies can include swelling or itchiness on the tongue.
Its critical to realize that an allergic reaction can escalate quickly.
If you experience any difficulties breathing or speaking, call 911 immediately.
An itchy or swollen tongue can be because of an autoimmune response to allergens.
A Word From Verywell
Having a tongue infection or tongue pain can be inconvenient and uncomfortable.
Anytime that your symptoms suddenly get worse, call your healthcare provider or 911.
This is especially important if your tongue injury makes it difficult to breathe.
Figuring out the causes of your tongue infection and the appropriate symptoms can be hard.
Dont hesitate to reach out for medical guidance.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Lichen planus.
American Academy of Oral Medicine.Geographic tongue.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Geographic tongue.
Kaiser Permanente.Tongue injury: care instructions.
Lupus Foundation of America.What you should probably know about Sjogrens syndrome.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
