Most people have had swollen, irritated, or painful taste buds at some point in their lives. Fortunately, in most cases, this is not a serious problem and you do not need to seek medical attention. Simple home remedies can often help reduce discomfort.
The most serious causes of inflammation of the taste buds include allergies and some diseases such as yeast infection, geographic tongue, GERD, and herpes infection. Yeast infections in the mouth sometimes occur after the use of antibiotics. This is because the antibiotic kills the “good bacteria” in your gut and leads to an overgrowth of the bad one: yeast. Yogurt can help restore balance in your digestive tract.
Geographic tongue is a harmless condition and generally of little concern. The name describes what the tongue looks like when it is discolored from inflammation, somewhat like a “map” with some areas lighter than others. The cause is unknown, but it is believed to run in families and can be affected by stress and hormonal changes. People with a geographic tongue often have other allergies, asthma, or eczema. Although the tongue looks abnormal, most people will have no other symptoms and will not need treatment. This is not a contagious condition, so you don’t need to worry about passing it on to other people through kissing.
Rather, herpes is a contagious viral infection. Red, swollen sores may appear on the tongue. While there are antiviral medications that can help flare-ups, there is no cure. Talk to a doctor if you suspect you have this infection.
Acid reflux is another health problem that can cause tongue problems. GERD, as it is also known, occurs when acid returns from the stomach and irritates the throat and tongue. If you suspect that you have GERD, you should seek medical attention. If left untreated, it can actually lead to esophageal cancer.
However, the most common cause of swollen taste buds is something you’ve eaten – eating foods that have irritated your tongue. Very spicy (spicy) foods contain a chemical called capsaicin. This chemical is what gives spicy food its effect, but it is quite irritating to the tongue and can decrease your ability to taste food over time. Salty foods like French fries will dry out your tongue and irritate individual taste buds due to the crystalline structure of salt. Vinegar is another tongue irritant, so salt and vinegar chips are a double whammy! Other examples of foods that can cause this problem include: sour fruits (such as lemons, limes, or grapefruits), mustards, horseradish, wasabi, cinnamon, and ginger. If you know that you have eaten foods that have irritated your tongue, the best way to prevent your taste buds from swelling in the future is to simply not eat those foods. In just a few days, your tongue will start to feel much better.
For more immediate relief, try ice cubes. The cold helps numb the tongue and will ease the pain quickly. Similarly, ice cream or any other cold food will help ease the discomfort. If problems with your taste buds and tongue persist, you should check with your doctor to make sure the cause is not a more serious problem. However, in most cases, the tongue will heal on its own in a few days and you will soon feel much better.
Summary: Swollen or inflamed taste buds sometimes alarm people, but most of the time the cause is not serious and the symptoms go away on their own. Often times, a simple home remedy will help, but it is important to know the more serious causes so that you know when to seek professional help.
