Many people have wondered why their tongues feel weird. There are many possible reasons for this, some of which are relatively benign, while others are potentially more serious.
One possible reason for this feeling is that you may have bitten or burned your tongue.
This is a relatively common occurrence, especially if you are new to cooking or don’t have the greatest dexterity with your tongue. If this is the case, it should go away after a few days and you should avoid biting your tongue again.
Another possible explanation is that you may be experiencing a fungal infection in your mouth, allergic reaction, nutritional deficiencies (B12), low blood sugar, Multiple Sclerosis, cancer, and more.
This can cause an uncomfortable tingling sensation on the tongue and other areas of the mouth, as well as white patches on the tonsils or back of the throat. If you think this may be your issue, speak with your doctor right away.
What Causes a Tingling Tongue?
There are many causes for a tingling tongue. For the most part, the tingling sensation is harmless and will go away on its own within a short period of time.
Some causes of a tingling tongue include an allergic reaction, burning your tongue, fungal infection, nutrition deficiencies, and more.
However, there are some causes that warrant medical attention, such as an allergic reaction to something you ate or drank.
Should You Be Worried?
There are many causes of a tingling tongue. They range from benign causes such as tooth decay to more concerning causes such as oral cancer. The most common cause of a tingling tongue is an overgrowth of bacteria that are known to cause thrush.
If this is the case, then treatment with anti-fungal medication will get rid of the problem. If the tingling tongue persists after treatment, then it may be time to see your dentist or doctor for further investigation.
When to Get Help?
One of the most common symptoms of an illness is a tingling tongue. If you experience sore throat, fever, or swollen lymph nodes in addition to your tingling tongue, then you should go to the doctor.
This is just one of many symptoms that could mean that you have a bacterial or viral infection. These infections will need to be diagnosed and treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
If your symptoms go away without treatment, there is always a chance that they could return later on.
Types of Tingling Tongue
There are many types of the tingling tongue, which can be categorized into four main types:
Bacterial Infection
This is the most common cause of tingling tongue. Your doctor can diagnose it because you have swollen tonsils and a sore throat. If it lasts for more than two weeks, it may indicate you have developed a bacterial infection in your mouth. A bacterial infection in the mouth can quickly spread to other body parts, such as the lungs or heart.
Viral Infection
A viral infection, such as herpes or mononucleosis (mono), can also cause a tingling tongue. Like bacterial infections, these infections can spread to other parts of the body and should be treated as soon as possible by your doctor to avoid long-term complications.
Toxicity or Nutritional Deficiency
Sometimes your tingling tongue may indicate that you have toxins in your system. Nutritional deficiencies can also cause symptoms like a tingling tongue and should be evaluated by your doctor to help determine if dietary supplements are needed.
These types of disorders are usually diagnosed through blood tests and saliva tests to determine if there are any toxic metals or nutritional deficiencies in your system. However, it is important to note that these symptoms may also indicate more serious illnesses like cancerous tumors or lymphoma (lymphatic cancer).
Systemic Diseases
This type of tingling tongue can indicate something more serious like Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS). These diseases are usually diagnosed through blood tests, MRI scans, and other diagnostic procedures to determine if a systemic disease is present in the central nervous system that has caused symptoms like a tingling tongue.
However, it is essential to note that these symptoms may also indicate more severe illnesses like cancerous tumors or lymphoma (lymphatic cancer).
Diagnosing Tingling Tongue
The first step when wondering what causes a tingling tongue is going to see your primary care physician. Your doctor will check for any chest pains you might have been having recently.
He will also check for swollen lymph nodes in any part of your body, especially under your armpit. This is where lymph nodes tend to be located under normal circumstances. If not, the doctor will also check if your lymph nodes are swollen due to a bacterial invasion.
Common Causes of a Tingling Tongue:
- Allergic Reaction
- Canker Sores
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Vitamin B Deficiency
- Migraines
Less Common Causes:
- Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Multiple Sclerosis
Final Thoughts
Tingling tongue is a common symptom of several medical conditions. A variety of things can cause it, but most often, it is caused by a nerve malfunction. When nerve malfunctions, the electrical signals stop reaching the brain, and this causes tingling in the tongue.
Common causes can include dietary deficiencies, vitamin B12 deficiency, low blood sugar, dry mouth from medications or alcohol, and certain medications.
In some rare cases, a tingling tongue may be caused by an underlying disease such as diabetes or cancer.
In general, if the tingling tongue is not accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness or pain in the mouth and there is no change in taste then it is not likely to be anything serious.
The first step to treating tingling tongue should be to address any underlying causes such as vitamin deficiencies and diabetes and reduce any aggravating factors such as alcohol consumption.
If those measures do not work then there are other options. One option is to try using a cough drop which may temporarily reduce the tingling sensation because the cough drop reduces dryness in your mouth that can cause tingling sensations on your tongue.
There are also oral medication options for treating tingling tongue, including antidepressants like amitriptyline and antianxiety medications like clonazepam. These work by blocking certain receptors in your brain that cause nerve malfunction and thereby reduce or eliminate your sensation of tingling on your tongue.
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