- 1. Geographic language
- 2. Thrush
- 3. Hairy black tongue
- 4. Oral candidiasis
- 5. Pemphigus vulgaris
- 6. Tongue cancer
- When to go to the doctor
The tongue is an organ of the human body responsible for speech, swallowing of liquids and food and its main function is tasting, that is, the act of feeling the taste of food. However, like the other organs, the tongue is susceptible to changes that lead to the appearance of diseases.
Some diseases of the tongue can be identified by changing the color, which may turn black or yellowish, and also by changing the natural aspect, because of the presence of bubbles, whitish plaques, wounds and lumps. Some measures can be taken to avoid the appearance of language problems, such as maintaining oral hygiene with the use of a tongue scraper, for example.
The main diseases that can appear on the tongue are:
1. Geographic language
The geographical tongue, also called benign migratory glossitis, is a condition that occurs when the upper part of the tongue has well-defined, protruding marks, with white borders and the rough part of the tongue, called filiform papillae, ends up disappearing.
These marks or lesions that appear on the geographic tongue vary in size, which can cause irritation, burning or pain, last for hours or even several weeks and usually arise because of stress, hormonal disorders, decompensated diabetes, cracks in the tongue, allergies and even by hereditary factors.
How to treat it: the geographical language does not generate any other health problem and therefore does not require any specific treatment, just to control the symptoms, such as pain and burning, through the use of analgesic sprays and avoiding acidic foods with many spices. See more treatment options for the geographic language.
2. Thrush
Thrush, also called stomatitis, is the term used to refer to an inflammation of the mouth mucosa, also affecting the tongue. In the occurrence of thrush, the tongue presents lesions such as reddish ulcers, with a yellowish part of the environment, which cause pain when ingesting liquids or food and can make the tongue more swollen.
Canker sores can occur due to the consumption of very 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 lead to mouth sores, which is the case with HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.
How to treat it: Since recurrent thrush is often associated with other illnesses, it is important to see a general practitioner to assess why canker sores appear frequently. Depending on the cause, the doctor will recommend medications for the disease that is causing the canker sores and, in the simplest cases, ointments based on 1% triamcinolone may be recommended, which reduces irritation and helps to heal the canker sores.
In addition, other laser treatments and chemical cauterizations can be indicated when there are many lesions on the tongue or other parts of the mouth and promote immediate relief of pain and irritation at the site.
3. Hairy black tongue
The black hairy tongue is a condition in which keratin accumulates in the tongue papillae, leaving the top of the tongue brown or black in color, looking like they have 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. Generally, the black hairy tongue does not cause any symptoms, but in some cases the sensation of nausea, metallic taste in the mouth and bad breath may appear. Learn more about the hairy black tongue.
How to treat: It is important to consult a dentist or general practitioner when observing that the tongue is darker in color, so that the exact cause of this alteration can be identified and the most appropriate treatment, which may be the use of antibiotics or antifungals, is recommended. In addition to the use of medication, the person with a black hairy tongue needs to maintain the habit of performing adequate oral hygiene, and may use a tongue scraper. See better what the tongue scraper is for and how to use it.
4. Oral candidiasis
Oral candidiasis is an infection that affects the tongue and is caused mainly by the fungus of the species Candida albicans. This infection leads to the appearance of whitish plaques on the tongue and other parts of the mouth and, in general, is triggered in people with low immunity, due to treatment for cancer and the use of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, or carriers of HIV virus.
The fungus that causes oral candidiasis is found on 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 fully developed immunity, being identified through the presence of whitish plaques on the tongue and gums, as well as in adults.
How to treat: when candidiasis symptoms appear in the mouth, including the tongue, it is important to seek a family doctor to examine the oral mucosa and indicate the most appropriate treatment, which consists mainly of mouthwashing with nystatin solution and the use of medications antifungals.
It is also recommended to use dental products that have disinfectant substances, such as chlorhexidine, as this helps to eliminate the fungus and reduce inflammation on the tongue. Find out more about how oral candidiasis is treated.
Check out the video below for more treatment options for white tongue:
5. Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease, caused by an overreaction of the body's defense cells and is characterized by the presence of blisters on the tongue and mouth, which are painful and slow to close and, in some cases, rupture, which may evolve and appear in the face, throat, trunk and even in the private parts.
The causes of this disease are not fully defined, but it is known that some factors can influence the appearance of pemphigus vulgaris, such as genetic predisposition, drug use, some types of cancer and infections. Check out more about other types of pemphigus and the causes.
How to treat it: when symptoms appear, it is recommended to see a general practitioner to assess the blisters and prescribe the most appropriate treatment, which is 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 drugs or to intern the person to receive corticosteroids directly into the vein.
6. Tongue cancer
Cancer of the tongue is a type of tumor of the oral mucosa region, which most often affects the edge of the tongue and is more common to appear in men over 50, who have used cigarettes for many years.
The symptoms of this type of cancer can be lumps and numbness in the tongue, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and enlargement of the neck waters and is caused mainly by the HPV virus. Learn more about how the HPV virus is transmitted from one person to another.
How to treat it: when symptoms appear, it is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist or general practitioner to investigate the causes through physical examination and imaging tests, such as computed tomography. After the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor from the tongue and if it is not possible to perform the surgical procedure, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are usually indicated.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible if symptoms such as:
- Fever; Bleeding from the mouth; Swelling in the tongue; Difficulty breathing.
These symptoms can indicate other types of problems, such as anaphylactic shock, serious infections and blood disorders, so it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
