The tongue is an organ of the human body responsible for speaking, swallowing liquids and food, and its main function is taste, that is, the act of smelling the taste of food. However, like other organs, the tongue is sensitive to changes that lead to disease.
Some tongue diseases can be identified by changing the color, which can turn black or yellowish, and also by changing the natural appearance, due to the presence of bubbles, whitish spots, sores and bumps. Some steps can be taken to prevent language. problems, like maintaining oral hygiene with the use of a tongue scraper, for example.
The main diseases that can appear on the tongue are
Geographic tongue, also known as benign migratory glositis, is a condition that occurs when the upper part of the tongue has well-defined, bulging marks, with white edges and the rough part of the tongue, called filiform papillae, eventually disappears.
These marks or lesions that appear in the geographic language vary in size, which can cause irritation, burns or pain, last hours or even weeks and usually occur from stress, hormonal disorders, decompensated diabetes, cracks in the tongue, allergies and even hereditary factors.
How to treat it: geographical language does not generate any other health problems and therefore does not require any specific treatment, only to control symptoms, such as pain and burning, by using analgesic sprays and avoiding acidic and spice foods. See more treatment options for geographic language.
Canker sores, also called stomatitis, are the term used to refer to inflammation of the lining of the mouth, which also affects the tongue. In the case of thrush, the tongue has lesions such as reddish ulcers, with a yellowish part of the middle, which causes pain when swallowing fluids or food and can cause the tongue to swell further.
Canker sores can occur due to consumption of highly acidic foods, allergic reactions, reduced immunity, use of antibiotics and corticosteroids, low levels of vitamin B and C, or infections caused by viruses such as herpes simplex, chickenpox and flu. Some sexually transmitted infections can cause mouth sores, such as HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.
How to treat it: Since recurrent candidiasis is often associated with other diseases, it is important to consult a GP to assess why yeast lesions appear frequently. Depending on the cause, the doctor will recommend medications for the disease causing canker sores, and in the simplest cases, 1% triamcinolone ointments may be recommended, which reduce irritation and help heal canker sores.
In addition, other laser treatments and chemical cauterizations may be indicated when there are numerous lesions on the tongue or other parts of the mouth and promote immediate relief of pain and irritation at the site. .
Black hairy tongue is a condition in which keratin accumulates on the taste buds of the tongue, leaving the upper part of the tongue brown or black, giving the impression of hair.
This condition can occur due to several factors such as cigarette use, poor oral hygiene, excessive tea or coffee consumption, or bacterial or fungal infections. Black hairy tongue usually doesn’t cause any symptoms, but in some cases a feeling of nausea, a metallic taste in the mouth, and bad breath may appear. Learn more about hairy black tongue.
How to treat: It is important to consult a dentist or general doctor when you find that the tongue is a darker color, so that the exact cause of this alteration is identified and the most appropriate treatment, which may be the use of antibiotics, is recommended. or antifungal. In addition to medication use, the hairy black-tongued person should maintain a habit of proper oral hygiene and may use a tongue scraper. Learn more about the tongue scraper and its use.
Oral thrush is an infection that affects the tongue and is mainly caused by the fungus of the species Candida albicans. This infection causes whitish spots on the tongue and other parts of the mouth and is usually triggered in people with low immunity, due to cancer treatment and the use of immunosuppressants or drugs. corticosteroids or carriers of the HIV virus.
The fungus that causes oral thrush is found in people’s skin and does not always cause health problems, however, it can also affect the oral mucosa of babies, as they do not yet have a fully developed immunity, being identified by the presence of whitish plaques on the tongue and gums, as well as in adults.
How to treat: When symptoms of thrush appear in the mouth, including the tongue, it is important to see a family doctor to examine the oral mucosa and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which is mainly a mouthwash with nistatin solution and the use of antifungal medications.
It is also recommended to use dental products that contain disinfectant substances, such as chlorhexidine, as this helps to eliminate the fungus and reduce the inflammation of the tongue. More information on treating oral yeast infection.
Watch the video below to learn more about white tongue treatment options:
Vulgar pemphigus is an autoimmune disease, caused by an exaggerated reaction of the body’s defense cells and characterized by the presence of painful and slow-closing tongue and mouth blisters and, in some cases, breaking, which can evolve and appear. on the face, throat, trunk and even in the intimate parts.
The causes of this disease are not completely defined, but it is known that certain factors can influence the development of pemphigus vulgaris, such as genetic predisposition, drug use, certain types of cancer and infections. Learn about other types of pemphigus and their causes.
How to treat it: When symptoms appear, it is recommended to go to the family doctor to assess the blisters and prescribe the most appropriate treatment, based, in most cases, on the use of corticosteroids in very high doses. If the blisters on the tongue and the rest of the body are very large, it may be necessary to use immunosuppressive medications or to admit the person to receive corticosteroids directly into the vein.
Tongue cancer is a type of tumor in the area of the oral mucosa, which most often affects the edge of the tongue and is more common in men over the age of 50, who have consumed cigarettes for many years.
Symptoms of this type of cancer may include lumps and numbness in the tongue, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and swelling of the neck and are mainly caused by hpV virus. Learn more about person-to-person HPV virus transmission.
How to treat it: When symptoms appear, it is important to see an otolaryngologist or general practitioner to find the causes through a physical exam and imaging tests, such as a CT scan. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor from the tongue, and if the surgical procedure cannot be performed, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are usually indicated.
It is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible if symptoms such as:
These symptoms may indicate other types of problems, such as anaphylactic shock, severe infections, and blood disorders, so it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.