Swollen tongue: causes and treatment

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swollen-tongue-causes-and-treatment

The swollen tongue can have many causes. Whether serious illnesses are behind it and how you can prevent, you will find out here.

Swollen tongue: Definition

Swelling of the tongue is often uncomfortable for those affected because it leads to  lack of space in the mouth and can hinder breathing and food intake .

A tongue swelling concretely means an enlargement of the tongue , which often occurs acutely. The entire tongue or only partial areas can be affected. The swelling comes about as fluid accumulates in the tissue , often triggered by inflammation.

Swollen tongue: 5 possible causes

  1. Inflammation: In particular, bacterial infections are considered as a cause of swelling of the tongue into consideration. Even small injuries of the tongue could give pathogens access to the tissue and thus trigger the swelling.
  2. Allergic reactions: An allergy can be caused by certain foods or even insect bites. It can very quickly lead to swelling of the tongue.
  3. Gums: Inflammation in the gums, often triggered by tooth decay, cause a swollen tongue.
  4. Combustion: The most obvious is the cause of burning of the tongue when over-hot foods have been consumed. This burn not only causes pain but also causes a swollen tongue.
  5. Drugs: Not very common are drugs that cause swelling and pain. Blood pressure can cause swelling of the tongue mucosa and often occurs in conjunction with coughing.

Swollen tongue: symptoms

  • White surface
  • reddening
  • Pain
  • numbness

Swollen tongue: treatment

  • Drinking cold water helps to clear the bacteria from the tongue and also cools the tongue, so that the pain is reduced.
  • The visit to the doctor should be made quickly in case of a strong or persistent swelling. If you have an allergy, you can also call the emergency number if no doctor is available.
  • If there is an allergic reaction due to a particular food, remove the coating on the teeth with the toothbrush.

Swollen tongue: prevention

  • If your tongue is regularly coated, continuous care is best. Solid foods can help you by removing leftovers and from the tongue.
  • You can also clean the tongue with a tongue scraper or a very soft toothbrush. Go from back to front.