Swollen Uvula (Uvulitis)

What is uvulitis?

Uvulitis is another word for a swollen uvula. Your uvula is that little fleshy piece of tissue that hangs from the roof of your mouth. It can swell because of things like infections, allergies or trauma. You might develop a swollen uvula when you have inflammation in nearby areas, like your throat or tonsils.

Uvulitis is common. Treating the cause usually eases your symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a swollen uvula?

Swollen uvula symptoms might include:

• Coughing, gagging or choking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excess saliva production
• Feeling like something’s stuck in your throat
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Snoring
• Trouble breathing
• White spots on your uvula or throat

What causes a swollen uvula?

Some of the most common swollen uvula causes include:

• Allergies. Pet dander, dust, pollen or certain foods can cause your uvula to swell.
• Dehydration. Not getting enough fluids, like water, can cause a swollen uvula.
• Environmental irritants. Vaping, smoking or inhaling certain chemical substances can irritate your uvula and lead to inflammation.
• Genetics. Some genetic conditions can result in uvulitis, like hereditary angioedema.
• GERD (chronic acid reflux). Severe acid reflux can irritate your throat and uvula.
• Infections. Some people get swollen uvulas as a symptom of viral or bacterial infections like strep throat, the flu, or the common cold.
• Medications. Some drug side effects can cause a swollen uvula.
• Snoring. Many people with obstructive sleep apnea will also have swollen or sore uvulas. (Snoring can be a cause or a symptom of uvulitis.)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some STIs like gonorrhea and syphilis could cause your uvula to swell. (But uvulitis itself isn’t an STI.)
• Trauma. Surgical procedures, like tonsillectomy, can sometimes injure your uvula. Uvulitis could also happen from intubation during surgery with general anesthesia.

Is a swollen uvula contagious?

Uvulitis itself isn’t contagious. But the viruses and bacteria that cause it can spread from person to person.

If you have a contagious infection, be sure to wash your hands frequently and stay home if you have a fever.

How is uvulitis diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. They may also request certain tests to see what caused the inflammation. These tests may include:

• Allergy tests. If something in your environment causes a swollen uvula, these tests can determine the culprit.
• Throat cultures. This quick, painless test can tell you what kind of germs caused your uvula to swell.
• Blood tests. These tests can detect germs in your blood, like viruses, bacteria and funguses related to uvulitis.

How is a swollen uvula treated?

The quickest way to get rid of a swollen uvula is to treat the underlying cause. To do this, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Antihistamines. Medications like loratadine (Claritin^®) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl^®) may reduce uvular swelling related to allergies.
• Corticosteroids. These drugs can reduce swelling if you have severe inflammation.
• Medications to treat infections. Your healthcare provider might prescribe antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals if you have an infection.
• Surgery. If less invasive treatments don’t work, or if you have chronic uvulitis, you may need surgery to remove part or all of your uvula (uvulectomy).

Swollen uvula home remedies

You may be able to ease mild uvulitis symptoms at home with these remedies:

• Drink lots of water.
• Eat ice chips.
• Gargle with warm saltwater.
• Get lots of rest.
• Make hot tea sweetened with honey.
• Suck on throat lozenges.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Use a humidifier.

Can uvulitis be prevented?

You can’t always prevent a swollen uvula. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Avoid allergens as much as possible.
• Avoid chemical irritants and other environmental triggers.
• If you smoke, consider quitting.
• Practice safe sex (since uvulitis is linked to some STIs).

What’s the outlook for uvulitis?

Uvular swelling often goes away in a couple of days. But if you have severe or lingering symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have a swollen uvula that doesn’t improve after five days.

If you’re choking or you feel like you can’t breathe, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

If your uvula is swollen, here are some questions you might want to ask your healthcare provider:

• What do you think caused my swollen uvula?
• What are your treatment recommendations?
• How long do you think my symptoms will last?
• Am I contagious?
• What should I do if my symptoms don’t improve?