Why is my tongue swollen

Here's what may be behind a scalloped tongue, also known as a wavy tongue. Learn about the causes and treatments for this symptom. A tongue bump or sore can be caused by various conditions, ranging from enlarged papillae to mouth cancer. Find out what these bumps mean and how to…. Learn more about the different causes of a yellow tongue and what you can do to treat it.

Macroglossia is usually caused by an underlying condition, or it could be present at birth without an underlying cause.

It should be treated by a…. People who have tongue-tie into adulthood usually adapt to the condition by using their tongue atypically, but this can cause side effects In the long…. Tongue sucking is typically a habit, but can also be due to a medical condition. Taste buds can change for a variety of reasons, including something as simple as the common cold.

More serious conditions can also cause taste bud…. Tongue thrust appears when the tongue presses forward too far in the mouth, resulting in an abnormal orthodontic condition called an open bite. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment When to seek help We include products we think are useful for our readers.

What causes tongue inflammation? What are the symptoms of tongue inflammation? How is tongue inflammation diagnosed? What are the treatment options for tongue inflammation? Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin.

Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have. Allergic reaction not life-threatening When the body encounters a harmful substance, it responds with inflammation and swelling that can be protective.

Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: swollen face, swollen lips, lip numbness, hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center, lip redness Symptoms that never occur with allergic reaction not life-threatening : shortness of breath, throat itching Urgency: Primary care doctor Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism, or "underactive thyroid," means that the thyroid gland in the neck does not produce enough of its hormones. Diagnosis is made through a simple blood test.

Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: fatigue, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, muscle aches Urgency: Primary care doctor Swelling caused by use of an ace inhibitor ACE Inhibitors are drugs used to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: shortness of breath, swollen face, trouble swallowing, swollen lips, swollen tongue Symptoms that never occur with swelling caused by use of an ace inhibitor: hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center Urgency: Hospital emergency room Gingivitis Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums.

Angioedema Angioedema is a condition which can cause swelling and puffiness of the face, mouth, tongue, hand or genitals. Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramps stomach cramps , diarrhea, swollen face, hand swelling Urgency: Hospital emergency room Salivary duct stone sialolithiasis A salivary duct stone is the most common disorder of the salivary glands where you make spit.

Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: swelling on one side of the face, swollen jaw, painful face swelling, spontaneous jaw pain, painful jaw swelling Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit Nephrotic syndrome Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder of the kidneys that results in too much protein excreted into your urine.

Kidney damage and nephrotic syndrome primarily include albuminur Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition most commonly caused by an allergic reaction. When to seek treatment for a swollen tongue We have all sipped before we should have and burned our tongue, maybe even caused it to swell.

When to see a doctor for a swollen tongue Contacting your doctor is recommended when you experience the following swollen tongue symptoms: Persistent swelling of over 10 days Extreme swelling Problems breathing, swallowing, chewing, and speaking Swelling associated with an allergic reaction Swelling associated with an infection Professional swollen tongue treatments If the below at-home treatments are not enough, and your tongue swelling worsens or persists, you should consult your physician.

Prescription medications: Advanced cases of tongue swelling may require medications prescribed by a doctor. When tongue swelling is an emergency It is recommended to contact emergency personnel if tongue swelling is preventing breathing or a blocked airway is imminent. At-home swollen tongue treatments You can try the following remedies at home to address your tongue swelling. Lifestyle changes: Changes in diet can help reduce swelling caused by a variety of factors. Eliminating sour or spicy foods and tobacco can sometimes cure a swollen tongue.

Minimizing chewing or instituting a liquid diet may also help. FAQs about swollen tongue Can allergies cause a swollen tongue? What does it mean when your tongue is swollen underneath? Can dehydration cause a swollen tongue? Why is my tongue scalloped? What vitamin deficiency causes a swollen tongue? Questions your doctor may ask about swollen tongue What part of your mouth is swollen? Do you have a rash? Are your symptoms worse while eating? Does your throat feel itchy or irritated?

Share your story. Submit story. Request sent successfully. An error occurred, please try again later. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In , Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine.

He also received an MP Read full bio. Was this article helpful? Read this next. Slide 1 of 3. Read more. Tongue Sores. Flu Season. There are plenty of possible causes for your sore throat. Figure out what may be causing yours and how to find relief.

References Shargorodsky J. Mount Sinai. Updated February 23, Mount Sinai Link. Common Tongue Conditions in Primary Care. American Family Physician. AFP Link. Shargorodsky J. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.

Published February 23, MedlinePlus Link. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Updated September 14, Morrison, and if the infection is deep, it can cause an abscess that results in painful swelling.

Occasionally, STDs, like syphilis and gonorrhea , can affect the tongue. Bacterial infections will require a round of antibiotics from your doctor—and in the case of a large abscess, hospital admission and surgical drainage.

Viral infections of the tongue include herpes the cold sore virus. HPV human papillomavirus and canker sores can also mess with your tongue. When circulating levels of thyroid hormone are low which is common in women, and often autoimmune-related, says Dr. Shainhouse , there are specific signs to watch out for, including fatigue, unexplained weight gain, constipation, cold-intolerance, hair thinning , and surprise!

Fortunately, hypothyroidism can be diagnosed with a blood test. From there, regular blood tests will be required to check the dose, which will be adjusted on an as-needed basis. It makes and ships a variety of different hormones to the rest of the body, and tells other glands when to do the same. Docs call this disorder acromegaly. Usually caused by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, other symptoms can include headaches, deepening of the voice, irregular periods , skin tags , and enlarged facial features.

Tongue cancer starts off superficially , typically with a white or red patch, or a small lump or ulcer on the tongue.