Burned Tongue

A burnt tongue, or tongue burn, can happen if you consume very hot foods or liquids that burn your tongue.

Tiny bumps (papillae) cover your tongue. The bumps help you recognize tastes and textures. Some papillae contain taste buds. Burning your tongue can damage both.

Most tongue burns aren’t serious. But a burnt tongue can be very painful. It can affect your sense of taste and your appetite. Fortunately, there are ways to manage symptoms while your tongue heals.

Burnt tongue classifications

Healthcare providers classify burns as superficial, partial-thickness or full-thickness:

• Superficial (first-degree): The burn affects your tongue’s top layer. You may have mild pain and slight swelling. Your tongue may look bright pink or red. Most tongue burns are superficial. This type typically heals in one to three days.
• Partial-thickness (second-degree): The burn damages tissue beneath the top layer of your tongue. Your tongue will hurt and look bright pink or red. You may have blisters. This type takes one to two weeks to heal.
• Full-thickness (third-degree): The burn damages all the layers of your tongue. The burn is very painful. Your tongue may look black or white. This is a serious issue that requires immediate medical care.

What are the symptoms of a burnt tongue?

Your symptoms will depend on the situation. In general, tongue burn symptoms include:

• Pain that can be mild, moderate or excruciating
• Color changes that range from hot pink and red to white or black
• Numbness
• Decreased sense of taste or a metallic taste
• Small red or white bumps (lie bumps) if the burn makes your papillae and taste buds swell
• Smooth patches if damaged papillae temporarily disappear

What causes a burnt tongue?

Most tongue burns happen when you don’t give very hot foods or drinks time to cool down. You may burn your tongue by accident if you’re:

• In a hurry to eat
• Very hungry
• Multitasking

Microwaved foods are a major cause of tongue burns. Microwaves heat food unevenly: that first bite may taste fine, but the next one burns your tongue.

Third-degree tongue burn causes

Drinking a boiling or caustic liquid may cause a third-degree burn. Swallowing the liquid can damage your throat or esophagus.

Complications

A burnt tongue may cause complications, like:

• Infection: Your tongue has several layers. A burn that damages those layers may increase the risk of an infection.
• Losing your sense of taste: Tongue burns can damage your taste buds, so you can’t taste flavors. Your food may have a metallic taste.
• Difficulty eating: Your tongue may hurt or swell. You may not get enough nutrition because eating is painful or swelling makes it hard for you to chew your food.

How doctors diagnose a burnt tongue

A healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and look at your tongue. They’ll ask if you know how you burned your tongue. You may feel reluctant to share that you didn’t wait to let very hot food or liquid cool before taking a sip. But knowing the cause is one way your provider decides if your tongue burn is serious.

Most tongue burns heal quickly on their own within a week or two. Your healthcare provider may recommend home remedies to help you feel better while you heal.

How to treat a burnt tongue

• Cool it: Sip cold drinks or suck on ice chips or popsicles for immediate relief. Take care that your tongue doesn’t stick to the ice.
• Coat it: Milk and honey can soothe a burnt tongue. Drinking milk or spreading a bit of honey on your tongue can help with pain. And honey has antibacterial properties that can prevent infection.
• Rinse it: A saltwater rinse (mix 1/8 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) will clear out bacteria. Be sure to spit out the water.

Over-the-counter pain medication may help you feel more comfortable and ease reduce inflammation.

What to avoid with a burnt tongue

Your tongue will feel tender while it heals. You should avoid:

• Hot drinks can make the burn and pain worse
• Citrus food and drink
• Spicy, salty or crunchy food

When should I see my healthcare provider?

See a healthcare provider if your tongue:

• Has blisters
• Is bright pink, red, black or white
• Is numb
• Still hurts after 10 to 14 days

Contact your provider right away if you have infection symptoms like:

• Fever
• Worsening pain or redness
• Swelling
• Drainage or pus

What can I expect if I have a burnt tongue?

Tongue burns typically aren’t serious injuries. You should feel better within a few days to a week. But don’t hesitate to contact a healthcare provider if you have pain or other symptoms that last for two weeks or more.

What is the difference between a burnt tongue and burning mouth syndrome?

A burnt tongue and burning mouth syndrome both make your tongue feel like it’s on fire. But different things cause that fiery feeling. Experts aren’t sure but they believe nerve damage causes burning mouth syndrome.

What’s the difference between burnt tongue and geographic tongue?

Both conditions change your tongue’s appearance but only burnt tongue hurts. A severe tongue burn may cause bright pink, red, white or black patches on your tongue. With geographic tongue, you have smooth reddish patches that don’t cause a burning feeling or pain.