How to Treat Blistering Burns on the Tongue

Many people experience tongue burns at least once in their lifetime. These burns can range from mild to severe, often accompanied by painful blisters. If you've recently burned your tongue, there are plenty of methods available to alleviate the pain and speed up the healing process.

Remove anything that caused the burn. You will likely be able to immediately identify if the food or drink you just put into your mouth is still too hot. You should remove it right away to prevent further burning. While it may not always be possible to spit out the food, it’s better to do so than to swallow it, as swallowing can cause additional burns in the throat and esophagus.

Drink cold water immediately. This offers two benefits. First, it cools down the burned area. Second, it helps flush out any remaining hot food or liquid. Specifically, oily foods can leave hot oil in your mouth and continue to burn unless washed away quickly.

• Cold milk works better than water for rinsing your mouth. You may find it more soothing when drinking cold milk.

Place an ice cube on your tongue. After rinsing your mouth with cold water, hold an ice cube in your mouth for about 5-10 minutes. This will help keep your mouth cool and prevent further burning. The longer you hold it in your mouth, the better. It will also numb the affected area, which is quite useful because burns on the tongue can be very painful.

Rinse your mouth with saltwater. Once you've cooled your mouth down, you'll want to disinfect your tongue. Your mouth is full of bacteria, and the burn could get infected if not treated properly. A saltwater solution will help clean the burn area and prevent infection.

• Dissolve 3g of salt in a cup of warm water. Stir until the salt is dissolved.
• Rinse your mouth and throat with the solution. Do not swallow the saltwater.

Continue rinsing with saltwater daily. You still need to keep your mouth clean as the wound heals. You should continue rinsing once or twice a day until the burn has fully healed.

Leave the blister intact. If you have a more severe burn, a blister may form, and it can be quite painful. If a blister appears on your tongue, avoid bursting it or draining any fluid. It may break on its own, but you shouldn't force it. The blister serves to protect newly formed cells and prevents bacteria from infecting the wound. Popping it may slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection.

Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps to keep the affected area moist and eases the pain. It also supports healing by balancing the pH in your mouth and preventing acid from damaging new cells. Additionally, blisters can be more fragile when they are dry.

Consume cold foods like ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice cubes, and other soft, cold items. While your sense of taste may be diminished as the burn heals, these remedies can make the healing process much more comfortable. Not only are they easy to eat, but the cold sensation will numb the tongue and reduce pain.

• Sprinkling a little sugar on your tongue can help alleviate the discomfort.

Hold cold food or drinks in your mouth for as long as possible. When drinking cold water or eating ice cream, leave it on the blister for an extended period. This will numb the burn and help ease the pain.

Drink a mixture of milk and honey. This combination not only soothes but also helps improve circulation in your mouth. Increased circulation delivers nutrients to the wound, aiding faster and more effective healing.

• You can also apply a layer of honey directly to the blister. This will soothe the wound and stimulate circulation. Honey also contains natural antibacterial properties that can help prevent infection.
• Do not give honey to infants under 1 year old. It can cause botulism, which can be serious.

Use a numbing medication for blisters and painful spots. If creams and cold water are not enough to relieve the pain, consider using a numbing medicine. Brands like Orajel and Anbesol are available at pharmacies and supermarkets. They help numb the affected area while it heals. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging or your doctor's guidance when using these products.

Take pain relievers if you experience discomfort. If the pain from a burn becomes bothersome, you can treat it with painkillers such as acetaminophen.

Brush your teeth gently. Both the act of brushing and the chemicals in toothpaste can irritate and damage a burn. You'll need to be cautious while brushing to avoid rupturing the blister and hindering the healing process.

• Avoid brushing your tongue. Doing so can harm newly formed cells and slow down the healing process. You may also rupture the blister, leading to infection.
• Do not apply toothpaste directly to the burn. It may cause irritation and pain.
• Limit using mouthwash with antiseptics. Like toothpaste, antiseptic mouthwash can irritate the burn. It’s better to rinse your mouth with saline water while the burn heals.

See a doctor if there’s no improvement or if the pain becomes unbearable. The cells in your mouth regenerate quickly, so most tongue burns will heal within 2-3 days. However, if your burn is more severe, it may take longer to heal. If 3-4 days have passed and you notice no improvement, visit a doctor to make sure there is no infection. You should also seek medical attention if the pain intensifies, or if the burn seems wide, deep, or is making it difficult to breathe or swallow.

Avoid hot foods and drinks while your mouth heals. You can still enjoy coffee and tea, but make sure to let them cool completely before drinking. You might even want to consider switching to cold foods and drinks for a few days. The new cells in your mouth will be very sensitive—if exposed to hot foods before the burn heals fully, they could get burned again, which will be very painful.

• Blow on your food and drinks to cool them down more quickly. For drinks, adding ice cubes can ensure they are at a safe temperature.
• Always check the temperature before putting anything in your mouth. Gently touch it with the tip of your tongue to ensure it’s safe to consume.

Avoid crunchy foods. Foods like crackers, chips, and crusty bread should be off the menu until your burn heals. They can scratch the burn and cause severe pain. They could also burst the blister, slowing down the healing process and increasing the risk of infection.

Refrain from spicy foods. Spicy food will cause significant pain for a healing mouth. The irritation from spices can also hinder your recovery. If you enjoy spicy food, it’s best to avoid it for a few days while your burn heals. At the same time, steer clear of adding any spices like chili to your meals.

Stop eating acidic foods. Most of these include citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and pineapples. Citric acid can harm and slow down the healing process. Wait at least 3 days before reintroducing these foods into your diet.

• See a doctor if the burn is located in another area of your mouth, especially at the back of the throat, or if the burn is caused by chemicals.
• Look for signs of infection. If you notice redness, swelling, increased pain, or pus around the burn, seek medical attention immediately.