Its surface is lined with taste buds, which allows us to differentiate tastes like bitter, sweet, and salty. Like the tongue, the taste buds on your tongue can swell. Because a swollen tongue can interfere with your airways and cause serious problems with your breathing , it is usually a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Swelling is an important defense mechanism in our bodies. Swelling fights off harmful bacteria and parasites, and helps with injury and healing. However, inappropriate swelling or swelling that persists can be harmful.
There are multiple chemical pathways that turn swelling on and off, which are complicated and only partially understood, says Anna Feldweg, MD , a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and attending physician in allergy and immunology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
A swollen tongue can happen when something — a medication, allergen something that causes an allergic reaction , or medical problem — interferes with these pathways. Some people develop fungal infections in the mouth known as thrush. Fungal infections are caused by the fungus Candida and usually occur after a course of antibiotics. People with compromised immune systems, like those with HIV , also are susceptible to this yeast, also called simply candida thrush, that can cause the tongue to swell.
Candida thrush can be treated with thrush medications that you swish and swallow, or swish and spit, Dr. Smith says. An oral medication often used to treat recurring thrush is fluconazole Diflucan. Herpes viruses also can cause infections that result in swelling of the tongue.
With the appropriate treatment, the swelling will go down. The Mayo Clinic writes that if the swelling is due to a food allergy, antihistamine medication is the usual prescribed treatment. If you know what food or other allergen caused your tongue swelling, you can prevent a repeat episode by avoiding the trigger food or substance.
However, sometimes the culprit isn't obvious. In these cases, keep a diary of what you eat or use in or around your mouth.
Whenever you experience swelling or other symptoms, make a note. With your doctor's help, you should be able to determine which food or product you need to remove from your diet or personal care routine.
Although tongue swelling is annoying, it's often possible to identify the cause and prevent the problem from returning. Speak to your dentist or doctor if you experience this symptom to receive treatment and discuss what steps to take next. Our Mission. Submit an Idea. Contact Us. South Africa ZA English. Brand Logo.
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