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Most people have had swollen, irritated or painful taste buds at some point in their lives. Fortunately, in most cases this is not a serious problem and there is no need to seek medical attention. Simple home remedies can often help reduce the discomfort.
More serious causes of swollen taste buds include allergies, and some diseases such as yeast infection, geographic tongue, GERD and herpes infection. Yeast infections of the mouth sometimes occur after the use of antibiotic medications. This is because the antibiotic kills off the “good bacteria” in your gut and leads to an overgrowth of the bad stuff – yeast. Yogurt can help restore balance in your digestive tract.
Geographic tongue is a harmless condition and generally of little concern. The name describes how the tongue looks when it is discolored by inflammation – kind of like a “map” with some areas lighter than others. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to run in families and may be affected by stress and hormonal changes. People with Geographic tongue often have other allergies, asthma or eczema. Though the tongue looks abnormal, most people will have no other symptoms and not need treatment. This is not a contagious condition so you don’t need to worry about passing it on to other people through kissing.
By contrast, herpes is a contagious viral infection. Red, swollen sores can develop on the tongue. While there are antiviral medications that can help with outbreaks, there is no cure. Talk to a doctor if you suspect you have this infection.
Acid reflux is another health problem that can cause tongue problems. GERD, as it is also known, occurs when acid backs up from the stomach and irritates the throat and tongue. If you suspect that you have GERD, you should seek medical attention. Left untreated, it can actually lead to cancer of the esophagus.
However, the most common cause of swollen taste buds is something that you’ve eaten: eating foods that have irritated the tongue. Very hot (spicy foods) contain a chemical called capsaicin. This chemical is what gives spicy food its kick, but it irritates the tongue quite badly and over time can actually decrease your ability to taste food. Salty food such as chips will dry the tongue out and irritate the individual taste buds because of the crystalline structure of salt. Vinegar is another tongue irritant – so salt and vinegar chips are a double whammy! Other examples of foods that can cause this problem include: acidic fruits (such as lemons, limes or grapefruit), mustards, horseradish, wasabi, cinnamon, and ginger. If you know that you’ve eaten food that has irritated your tongue, then the best way to avoid getting swollen taste buds in the future is to simply not eat such foods. In just a few days, your tongue will start feeling much better.
For more immediate relief, try ice cubes. The cold helps to numb the tongue and will soothe the pain quickly. Similarly, ice cream or any other cold food will help ease the discomfort. If problems with your taste buds and tongue persist, you should check with your physician to make sure that a more serious problem is not the cause. However, in most cases, the tongue will heal itself within a few days and you’ll be feeling much better soon!
Summary: Swollen or inflamed taste buds sometimes alarm people, but most often the cause is not serious and the symptoms will go away on their own. Often a simple home remedy will help, but being aware of the more serious causes is important so that you know when to seek professional help.
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Source by Kerry Hook