The tongue is considered as one of the strongest muscles in the body. This particular muscle is located inside the mouth and is very useful for speaking. The tongue enables us to pronounce different sounds and syllables. Aside from this, the tongue is also used for eating. The tongue is made up of countless taste buds that allow us to taste and enjoy the flavors of the foods that come to our mouth. However, the tongue could also show different types of problems. One of these is the formation of blisters in the different portions of the said muscle. So why do I have blisters on the back of my tongue? What does this mean?
Blisters on the Tongue
What are tongue blisters? Tongue blisters are considered as painful sores that come out on the surface of the tongue. This problem makes eating and drinking very difficult to do. Although this tongue problem can occur to anyone regardless of age, most individuals that suffer from it are the adolescents and/or the young adults. Tongue blisters usually last for a week; however, these commonly go down on their own. In other words, there isn’t really any known treatment or medicine that could specifically target these tongue blisters.
Facts about Tongue Blisters
There are actually different kinds of tongue blisters. Aside from this, tongue blisters could also be caused by a lot of possible factors. One of the main reasons why blisters could erupt on the tongue specifically at the back is due to the deficiency of the vitamin B complex. Another common cause of tongue blisters is due to the infection of the herpes simplex virus type 1, which is a known causative agent for an STD. There are actually two types of herpes simplex viral infections that could cause these blisters to occur namely the canker sores and the fever blisters. Both of these can be caused by a similar agent; however, they produce different characteristics. The canker sores can occur inside the mouth only while the fever blisters can exhibit its symptoms both inside and outside of the oral cavity. In addition to this, the size of the canker sores is a lot bigger than the fever blisters. Canker sores can also take more time for them to heal.
Causes of Tongue Blisters
Tongue blisters could also be caused by fungal infection. These blisters; however, are very distinct from the other types of blisters since they are primarily white in color. The fungus that is known to cause this kind of blister is none other than the candiasis. This particular type of infection causes the tongue to swell up first before the white blisters can start to form at the back of the tongue. Another common cause of blisters is due to an allergic reaction primarily from food. However, this usually is preceded by an upset stomach after the food ingestion.
Aside from viral and fungal infections, tongue blisters could also be caused by bacterial reasons. Most bacteria can cause blisters especially those spreading from the gums. One of the most common kinds of bacteria that can cause this to happen is the Staph species. However, tongue blisters could also be a negative reaction to certain types of medicines and can also be a result from other factors such as hormonal changes, foot and mouth disease, anemia, weak immune defenses, tonsillitis and as well as the injury to the mouth while brushing.
Treatment Methods for Tongue Blisters
Although tongue blisters are considered self healing, there are still some things that we can do in order to help reduce the pain as well as the inflammation of the sores and provide us with comfort. The application of ice directly to the blisters can provide a very soothing effect on the pain. As we all know, ice or anything that is extremely cold can be used as a temporary analgesic to any painful sensation in the body. Doing regular gargles of saline water can also help in the hastening of the blister treatment. Saline water is made up of a teaspoon of salt mixed well with a cup of warm water. This solution must be gargled several times in a day. Salt is actually an effective substance in killing the bacterium that causes these tongue blisters. Aside from salt, we can also try using turmeric powder. Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder can be mixed in a glass of milk before drinking. Others can also apply the powder directly on to the sores by mixing it with honey. This must also be done several times in a day. These steps can effectively provide relief and comfort as quickly as possible.
Other blisters that are caused by burn injuries can be treated by sipping a small amount of warm water and rotating it all over the mouth. This can efficiently provide fast relief as the warm water helps in the reduction of the blister swelling. Blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus can be relieved or reduced with the use of the O-T-C ointments and creams that contain zinc. Diet modification must also be done in order to help in the reduction of the blister formation. This includes the increase of foods rich in vitamin B such as whole grains, dairy products, bananas, eggs, liver, fish, avocados and a lot more. Vitamin supplements can also be taken under the supervision of our doctors.
Eating soft and liquid based foods can also be done in order to prevent further irritation on the blisters. Acidic foods and beverages must also be avoided in order to prevent complications and worsening of the blister condition. These blisters must never be scratched using the teeth since it can just further aggravate the situation.
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