A cold sore on the tongue is a small, rounded lesion that appears on the tongue and causes a lot of pain and difficulty eating and speaking. The lesions can be small and very round or oval and about 1 cm in diameter.
Cold sores on the tongue can appear in isolation, being the most common, but, in some cases, several can also appear at the same time. Although anyone can have at least one or two episodes of thrush throughout their life, some people experience thrush very frequently, every 15 days, for about 1 year, which requires medical investigation.
Read too: Cold sore throat: 7 main causes (and what to do)
To cure a cold sore on the tongue, you must brush your teeth and use an alcohol-free mouthwash at least 3 times a day, and apply a piece of ice directly to the painful cold sore, for example.
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Symptoms of cold sore on the tongue
The main symptoms of mouth ulcers on the tongue are:
- Small, whitish, circular or oval lesion surrounded by a red “ring”
- Intense pain in the affected area;
- Increased sensitivity;
- Difficulty speaking and eating;
- Swelling and redness;
- Itching or burning sensation.
Additionally, some people may feel a stinging or burning sensation in the affected area before the cold sore itself appears.
How long do canker sores last
Tongue sores usually disappear spontaneously within 7 to 10 days, leaving no scars, however, if they are more than 1 centimeter in diameter, it may take longer to heal.
Furthermore, when it appears frequently, it is important that it be investigated by a general practitioner or stomatologist to check whether it may be related to a disease.
Make an appointment with a stomatologist in the nearest region:
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Possible causes
The most common causes of mouth sores are:
- Tongue bite;
- Eat citrus foods such as kiwi, pineapple, lemon;
- Vitamin deficiency;
- Viral infections (especially herpes simplex and shingles)
- Food allergy;
- Hormonal disorders;
- Smoking habit;
- Stress;
- Autoimmune diseases.
The weakening of the immune system can also favor the appearance of canker sores, which is why it is common for people with AIDS or cancer, for example, to have canker sores more frequently. See other causes of frequent canker sores.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for mouth ulcers on the tongue helps relieve symptoms and stimulates healing, reducing the duration of cold sores. It may include the use of:
1. Home remedies
A good way to cure a sore on your tongue more quickly is to rinse your mouth with a solution of water and baking soda, or use mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol, as they help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Furthermore, applying an ice cube or a cold compress directly to the cold sore is also a good way to numb your tongue so you can eat, for example.
Gargling with warm salt water several times a day can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Other natural strategies that can help cure cold sores are applying tea tree oil directly to the cold sore, keeping a clove in the mouth or taking 1 spoonful of honey with propolis extract daily, for example. See some infallible strategies to cure cold sores quickly.
2. Pharmacy medicines
A good medicine is triamcinolone acetonide ointment (Omcilon Orabase), which has anti-inflammatory action, or 0.2% hyaluronic acid solution, which hydrates and protects the cold sore, immediately reducing pain.
Read too: Ointments and remedies for cold sores in babies
Although it is rare, in cases where a person has a lot of canker sores, which compromise their diet and quality of life, the doctor may also prescribe the use of thalidomide, dapsone and colchicine, for example, always checking the dosage monthly due to side effects. that can cause.
Also check out the nutritionist’s tips for getting rid of cold sores naturally:
Bibliography
- UP-TO-DATE. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Available at: <https://www.uptodate.com/contents/recurrent-aphthous-stomatitis#H1915363778>. Accessed on June 7, 2022
