How to Heal Tongue Burn Fast?
Healthful Vitality | 03/14/2023 | How to Heal Tongue Burn Fast?
The tongue is more likely to be exposed to hot fluids, foods, and so on. However, this does not mean that tongue is more tolerant to heat. It is like any other body part and cannot tolerate heat for long. However, it can tolerate foods and fluids of temperate up to about 45°C to 47°C.
Of course, when you drink a hot cup of coffee, its temperature is much higher. Nevertheless, unlike skin, the tongue can tolerate it for a few reasons, like the presence of saliva, uneven surface (thus larger surface area), and excellent blood supply (helps with heat dissipation).
Thus, it appears that the tongue is quite health-resistant. However, it may get burnt if exposed to heat for a long or to severely high temperatures.
It is not rare for people to burn their tongues when drinking hot beverages, especially when they take a larger sip. One is even more likely to get tongue burnt by eating hot food, as solid foods are more difficult to cool down, and the tongue’s blood supply is insufficient to help with it.
Before we discuss tongue burns, a word of caution- do not confuse it with burning mouth syndrome, which occurs secondary to many health conditions and not due to thermal injury. Here we are discussing tongue burn due to thermal injury only.
How to heal tongue burn fast?
How fast healing would occur after the burn would depend on the severity of the burn. When it comes to a burn, it is measured in degrees. A first-degree burn is that of the outermost layer. A second-degree burn is more painful as it affects deeper tissues. Finally, third-degree burn is the most severe, affecting the deepest of the tissues.
Generally, when it comes to the tongue, first-degree burn is more likely to occur by ingesting hot food or beverages. Second or third-degree burns may occur due to other causes like some accidents.
The burn would cause your tongue to look bumpy and red. It will also alter taste sensation. However, these changes in taste sensation are generally temporary unless it is a third-degree burn.
A few things one can do at home to promote healing
Though, of course, any burn must be treated by doctors, there are few things one can do at home to promote healing, especially in the case of a first-degree burn.
- Naturally, the first thing to do is rinse your mouth with cool water for a few minutes.
- Sucking ice may also reduce the pain sensation.
- To promote healing, better rinse your mouth multiple times a day with cool and mildly salted water, which will also help prevent mouth infections.
- Avoid hot food and liquids to prevent irritation, which may also slow healing.
- Using honey may also help in many instances.
- One can also use acetaminophen or Tylenol to reduce pain sensation.
However, consult a doctor if you see increased redness, worsening pain, or drainage of pus. Apart from other methods, one may use antiseptic mouthwashes, often sold without a prescription. However, be careful when using mouthwash, as some may rather irritate your tongue. However, most mouthwashes have an antiseptic and cooling effect, which may help prevent infection, lower pain sensation, and thus promote healing.
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