Tongue Blisters - Causes and Treatments

A blister is an oral condition that causes swelling, patches, or sores on the tongue. Mostly they are harmless, but they affect the sense of taste and cause discomfort. Almost one-third of people get affected by tongue blisters at some point. Tongue blisters naturally subside after a week to 10 days. However, during this time, they may hinder your speech or eating.

There can be multiple reasons for blisters on the tongue. Some prominent reasons include:

- Hypersensitivity: An allergic reaction to certain substances can lead to hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity in and around the mouth can cause blisters and several other conditions, such as redness, ulcers, and swelling.

- Stress: Yes, you read that right. Stress and exhaustion can give you blisters on your tongue.

- Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal imbalances can lead to oral herpes, which appears as blisters on the tongue. Additionally, women may get tongue blisters and swollen and bleeding gums due to hormonal imbalances during their menstrual cycle.

- Infection: As stated above, oral herpes can cause tongue blisters. Oral herpes can be contagious and spread through touching the affected patch, saliva, or contact with the tongue and mouth lining.

- Injury: An injury to the tongue can give you an open sore or a blister on the tongue. Such an injury may result from eating crunchy or spicy food, biting the tongue, or having hot beverages.

- Oral cancer: In rare cases, a tongue blister that refuses to subside after a long time can indicate oral cancer. Other symptoms to look out for here are loose teeth, difficulty in speaking, lumps in the mouth or throat, numbness in the face or neck, or white or red patches in the mouth.

Look out for the following signs and symptoms of tongue blisters:

• Burning sensation in the mouth

• Sores on the tongue or the inner lining of the cheeks

• Painful blisters

• Red or white bruises on the tongue

• Fever

In most cases, you can use a tongue blister remedy at home to cure the symptoms. Some of the common home remedies for a tongue blister are:

- Saltwater gargle: The most commonly used remedy for tongue blisters is gargling with salt water. It helps reduce the pain and inflammation from a blister. Salt has antimicrobial properties that help cure any infection behind the blister. To gargle with salt water, add a spoonful of common salt to a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly with this solution. You can repeat the process several times a day for quicker results.

- Mouthwash: Make it a regular practice to use mouthwash as a part of your oral care routine. It will give you relief from the discomfort caused by tongue blisters.

- Avoid spicy and acidic foods: Spicy, salty, and acidic foods can further irritate your tongue blisters. It is best to avoid such foods and citrus fruits when you have a blister in your mouth.

- Avoid tobacco: Tobacco and tobacco-containing products can hurt the soft tissues in your mouth. Avoid their regular consumption to reduce the occurrence of tongue blisters.

- Avoid alcohol: Consuming alcohol results in sores, patches, and lumps in the mouth. It also slows down the healing of blisters. Moreover, it can aggravate the blister to make it more painful. Avoid alcohol when you have tongue blisters or ulcers to help them heal faster and without much discomfort.

- Have a healthy diet: A healthy and nutritious diet can help keep tongue blisters at bay. Prefer soft, bland, and easily chewable foods when you have a blister in your mouth. Drink plenty of water and avoid spicy food and aerated drinks.

If your tongue blisters do not go away even after using the above home remedies, consult a doctor. He may advise you on some specific medicines to give you relief. These medicines generally include antibiotics, antifungals, medicated mouthwashes, saliva-producing medicines, and corticosteroids.

Here are some tips to prevent the occurrence of tongue blisters:

- Toothpaste and toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with round edges and a small head to avoid hurting your tongue and mouth. Use mild toothpaste recommended for sensitive mouths. A toothpaste that does not contain the foaming chemical SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) can help prevent tongue blisters.

- Rinse your mouth post-meals: Rinsing your mouth after every meal can instantly remove germs and bacteria from your mouth. It keeps your mouth clean and prevents tongue blisters.

- Floss: Flossing regularly helps keep away infections that cause tongue blisters.

- Eat the right food: Healthy and gut-friendly foods can boost digestion and prevent tongue blisters and ulcers.

- Remove dentures at night: Sleeping with dentures can cause mouth injury, sores, and blisters. Remove your dentures every night to avoid blister occurrence.

Blisters are generally harmless and go away with some care. However, if they stay or are accompanied by other symptoms, like respiratory issues or swollen tongue, seek medical help. Likewise, a painful tongue or a bump that grows should never be ignored and reported to a medical practitioner.

Tongue blisters are common and appear as patches and bumps that go away in a few weeks using some home remedies and good oral hygiene. However, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis of tongue blisters that refuse to subside even after a reasonable time. Critical illness insurance can save you from mounting medical expenses of a severe medical illness like mouth cancer. At Tata AIG, you can enjoy various benefits of health insurance for a low premium.