The tiny blisters on the tongue seem a common problem but their discomfort ranges from mild irritation to intense pain. Having such blisters on the tongue or over the tissues inside the mouth aggravates our daily lives with pain, swelling, burning sensation in the mouth, and much more. Do you agree?
Mostly, such sore tongue or tongue blisters happen with infections or injuries inside the mouth whilst certain bodily disorders invigorate this oral concern. In simply, some abnormal tongue blisters are warning signs of underlying bodily disorders.
In this article, our dental doctors have shared the 5 common conditions linked to painful blisters on the tongue.
What causes the blisters/lesions on the tongue?
In general, the painful lesions on the tongue have a variety of causes, and each factor exhibits different symptoms.
1) Canker Sores
Canker sores are a very common type of oral lesion, happens in the tongue, lips, cheeks, gums, and other oral tissues. They are very small-sized (1/3 of an inch in diameter) white or yellowish lesions with red borders. Dentists observed that such mouth sores happen due to hormonal changes, vitamin deficiency, stress, or celiac disease.
Typically, the canker sores go on their own within 7 to 10 days. If it persists for more than weeks, it will affect the organs of your body and lead to the following problems:
- Skin rashes
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Pain in joints
2) Oral Candidiasis
It occurs with a weakened immune system that leads to the overgrowth of the candida fungus. People suffering from oral candidiasis develop white patches over the tongue and look like blisters. In most cases, it happens as a side effect of medications, antibiotics, and poorly fitted dental appliances.
The side effects of oral candidiasis include:
- White patches inside the mouth
- Bad taste
- Cracked mouth corners
If you notice such white or red-colored patches exist in your mouth for more than weeks, consult your dentist because it might be a sign of diabetes, cancer, or even HIV.
3) Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pemphigus Vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes blisters in the mouth and over the skin.
It happens when our immune system secrets antibodies against desmogleins (a kind of protein present in mucous membranes and skin). Desmogleins develop a bonding agent that keeps the skill cells adhere to the skin. When desmogleins are affected, the skin cells are isolated and it leads to developing chronic blisters on the skin.
Apart from the immune system compromised with medications, various factors are also linked to this condition. The important triggering elements include age, genes, stress, and bacterial infections.
4) Behcet’s Disease
This is an inflammatory condition triggered by medications, dietary and lifestyle changes. It causes swelling in the blood vessels and is followed by bumps, blisters on the tongue as well as other oral tissues as a warning sign.
Similar to tongue blisters, it causes soreness in the tongue and various side effects that include:
- Genital ulcers
- Digestive Problems
- Pain in joints
- Swelling around the eyes
5) Injuries in the mouth
Accidental bites on the tongue will injure the tissue, forming blisters on the tongue. Similarly, eating hard foods, biting & chewing inedibles, taking extremely hot beverages or cuisines also damage the tongue and mucous membranes, forming blisters that heal in a few days.
Bottom line
Lesions (or) Blisters on the tongue are common that are quite irritating but go on their own within a few days. Medications prescribed by your dentist, oral hygiene activities help you to get rid of such tongue blisters.
If you notice such blisters exist for a while or deep crack in the skin around the sore, visit your dentist immediately. They may happen with bacterial attacks or underlying health problems.
