Burning your tongue is a common accident. Often, you may not notice that the steam is still rising from your plate or drink, or you may feel so hungry that you start eating quickly without paying attention to how hot it is. Your tongue is likely to get burned at that time, but what do you do if your tongue is exposed to such burns? Doctors say that minor tongue burns usually do not require treatment, but they can be annoying to the person, and may affect the sensation of the tongue, as you may feel that the tongue has become numb. In this article, we will learn together about the degrees of tongue burns and how to relieve the pain associated with a tongue burn.
Degrees of tongue burns
The tongue contains delicate tissues that help you taste delicious food well and enjoy it, but they also make the tongue sensitive to high temperatures, and make it easy to burn the tongue and burn it to different degrees. You should be aware of the degrees of first, second and third degree burns to determine the severity of tissue damage. Third-degree burns are the most serious, and tongue burns are classified as follows:
First-degree tongue burns: This type of burn is the most common, and affects only the surface layer of tissue. The tongue may appear pink or red, and be hot, and may swell or cause mild pain.
Second-degree tongue burns: These burns go beyond the top layer of tissue, and are more harmful than first-degree burns, as the tongue turns pink or red, is hot and swollen, and some blisters may appear on the tongue.
Third-degree tongue burns: These are the most serious because they affect the deeper tissues, and a third-degree tongue burn makes it appear black or white, and these burns can cause either numbness or severe pain.
A tongue burn can cause your sense of taste to diminish (temporarily), or disappear completely if your tongue is severely burned. This is because taste buds are located between the bumps on the tongue (papillae) that cover the entire tongue. When these bumps are burned, they may disappear from the tongue, making it appear smooth and unnatural. If you think you have suffered a second- or third-degree tongue burn, you should seek medical attention, as burns of this type can be very serious, and you cannot treat them yourself and may cause complications. If you are not sure of the degree of burns to your tongue, you should seek medical attention, or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital or medical center to get the necessary diagnosis and first aid. Fortunately, most tongue burns are usually first-degree, and can be treated at home.
Relieving the pain of a burnt tongue
Most tongue burns are first-degree burns, which are not serious cases, and can be treated and relieved at home without the need for a doctor. In first-degree burns, you may experience redness, mild pain, and some swelling. Here are some tips to relieve pain and speed up healing:
Drink cold water and eat cold foods: You should stick to cold, gentle drinks and foods that do not cause irritation in the first few days after a burnt tongue.
Suck on ice chips: If the weather is not very cold, you can use ice chips to relieve swelling and pain.
Cover the tongue with milk, sugar, or honey: Milk is known to help reduce heat in cases of burns, and honey has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and sugar can also relieve pain.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: You can take simple pain relievers if you have a lot of pain and swelling. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) available without a prescription.
Rinse your mouth with salt water: Rinsing with salt water is effective. It can relieve tongue pain and reduce the risk of infection. You should avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can irritate the burned tongue and worsen the pain.
Use vitamin E: If you want to promote and speed up the healing process, you can squeeze a liquid capsule containing 1,000 IU of vitamin E directly onto your tongue.
Maintain good oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing your teeth is always important, but it is especially important when you have a cut or injury in your mouth, to prevent infection, especially if you have an open wound or a blister in your mouth.
Also keep in mind that while recovering from a burned tongue, you should avoid irritating the damaged or burned tissue on your tongue. Stay away from hot foods and drinks, avoid using a tongue scraper, and avoid any spicy, acidic, or spicy foods that can irritate your tongue.
How long does a tongue burn last?
The time it takes for your tongue to recover from a burn depends on the severity of the damage, the degree of the burn, and whether or not you have complications. Fortunately, the tongue is very flexible, and the cells of the tongue and mouth regenerate quickly, and it usually heals quickly. Although severe burns can take longer to heal, in most cases you should recover within a week or two. Since taste buds usually regenerate every two weeks, you can start enjoying food again very quickly.
If you notice that your tongue has not recovered after two weeks of a tongue burn and the symptoms have not gone away, it is important to see a doctor or emergency department immediately. You should also act quickly if you notice any of the following signs of injury:
Fever.
Any type of discharge coming from the tongue.
Worsening symptoms such as increased redness, swelling, pain, or numbness.