I have had a sore tongue for a few years. My father also throughout his life suffered from a swollen, red tongue. It comes and goes and sometimes hurts worse than other times. I cannot take Advil or anything with aspirin-I am allergic to it. Any feedback would be beneficial.
Reply: -------------------------------
There are many possible causes of soreness of the tongue either well-localized or diffuse such as burning or stinging. It is also a symptom that is not uncommon. However, it is not always easy or possible to identify the cause of such symptoms in many patients. Some of the possible causes include nicotine stomatitis from tobacco, dental trauma, vitamin deficiencies, yeast infections of the mouth (thrush, candidiasis), lichen planus, chemical or drug toxicities, kidney disease, drug sensitivities, blood dyscrasias,salivary disorders, metabolic or hormonal disorders, collagen vascular disorders, etc. Chronic symptoms of this nature warrant a specialist evaluation, possible culture and or biopsy of the tongue, and blood count.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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