How To Heal Burnt Tongue?
Burns typically have a fast healing process, often resolving within one to two weeks without the need for medical intervention. There are various at-home treatments available to help speed up recovery and relieve discomfort during this time.
The healing time for a burned tongue can vary based on the severity of the injury and any potential complications.
What you need to do is:
- Drink something cool: When someone experiences a tongue burn, a common reaction is to grab a cold drink, which is often recommended. It is recommended to keep sipping on the cold beverage for a few minutes following the burn. For more severe burns, the cold can prevent the heat from penetrating further into the underlying layers of the tongue.
- Eat cold (or cool) soft foods: To help the healing process after burning your tongue, it is recommended to consume soothing foods like yogurt, ice cream, and cold applesauce.
- Suck on ice chips or popsicles: Drink a cold beverage or have ice chips and popsicles to relieve discomfort and feel a cooling sensation. Use caution to avoid your tongue sticking to the frozen surface.
- Coat your tongue with milk: Milk is commonly used to counter the spiciness in meals. It can help relieve discomfort from a burnt tongue.
- Use honey: Honey, similarly milk, has properties that provide a soothing coating on the tongue and antibacterial benefits that can help prevent infections.
- Rinse with saltwater: Using saltwater to rinse your mouth after a tongue burn can help eliminate bacteria and prevent infection. However, be cautious not to use too much salt as it may worsen the irritation. Mix 1/8 teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water, swish it around your mouth, and then spit it out to provide relief.
- Take pain medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or other NSAIDs can help reduce pain and swelling from a burnt tongue.
- Take vitamin E: Vitamin E has been known to accelerate the recovery process for burns, such as those on the tongue. Apply a 1,000 IU liquid capsule directly to the affected area for healing purposes.
- Attend to your oral hygiene: Make sure to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, being careful not to disturb your tongue. By keeping your mouth clean and free of bacteria, you can help ensure that your tongue heals properly without any risk of infection.
What you don’t do is:
- Drink hot beverages. Rising temperatures may worsen burn injuries, causing increased pain and discomfort.
- Eat foods that can irritate your tongue. It is recommended to avoid consuming foods high in acidity, such as citrus fruits, as well as spicy, salty, or crunchy foods that may potentially irritate sensitive taste buds.
If your tongue continues to be painful or show no improvement after a week, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for medical attention.
What causes tongue burns?
Lack of patience can lead to tongue burns when consuming food or drinks that haven’t cooled down enough. Being unfocused is often the cause. It is important to check the temperature of food and drinks before consuming them to avoid accidentally consuming hot items. This usually happens when trying to juggle multiple tasks at once. During meals, your mind may drift away from the present moment as you eat and drink mechanically.
Using a microwave to heat up food can result in tongue burns due to uneven heating. Changes in temperature can make it difficult to determine if food is ready to eat, which can increase the risk of burns if caution is not exercised.
What are the symptoms of a burned tongue?
The symptoms you may experience will depend on the severity of your burn. In addition to experiencing a burning sensation, there are other signs and symptoms to be aware of:
- Tongue pain.
- Reduced sensation in the tongue.
- Tongue that is hot pink or red, inflamed, and swollen.
- Notice changes in their taste, such as a reduced ability to taste or a metallic flavor in their mouth.
- When your tongue is injured, it may lose its ability to taste due to damaged papillae.
Individuals who experience geographic tongue may present with a smooth tongue, redness, and a sensation of burning in the mouth. These symptoms set it apart from a regular tongue burn. Geographic tongue is a condition with harmless red patches surrounded by white or gray tissue on the tongue. The exact cause of geographic tongue is still unknown to medical professionals, but they have determined that it is not linked to burns.
First-, second- and third-degree tongue burns
The sensitivity of your mouth to temperatures is related to the factor that enhances the taste of your first bite. While these delicate tissues enable you to experience a wide range of tastes, they are also vulnerable to injury.
First-degree tongue burns typically affect the surface layer of tissue and are commonly identified by a bright pink or red color. Swelling and slight discomfort are common symptoms of these types of burns.
Second-degree burns on the tongue extend past the surface layer of tissue and are more painful than first-degree burns. They often result in a hot pink or red color, swelling, and the development of blisters.
On the other hand, third-degree burns on the tongue are the most serious, impacting the innermost layers of tissue. This type of burn can lead to either blackened or whitened areas on the tongue, as well as numbness or intense pain.
The bumps on your tongue, known as bumps (papillae), house your taste buds. If these papillae are burned, they can vanish, leaving your tongue with a strangely smooth appearance. As a result of a severe burn, your ability to taste may be impaired or lost temporarily.
It is recommended to seek medical attention if you suspect you have a second- or third-degree burn. Severe burns should be treated by a healthcare professional as self-treatment may lead to further complications.
If unsure about the severity of a tongue burn, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for guidance. Choosing the precautionary route is often considered a wise decision.
Fortunately, most tongue burns are first-degree burns, which can be treated with self-care at home.