Abscessed tongue

A Abscessed tongue is an inflammatory disease in the area of ​​the tongue or the base of the tongue. It is usually caused by germs that cause the abscess through a wound in the mucous membrane. This often has to be treated surgically if it cannot be adequately reached with medication.

What is a tongue abscess?

At a Abscessed tongue it is an inflammation in the mouth caused by bacteria. As the name suggests, the tongue or the base of the tongue is affected; Under certain circumstances, however, the abscess can also develop in the floor of the mouth below the tongue.

It usually arises from a wound in the oral mucous membrane into which germs get, for example when ingesting food. The infection subsequently leads to the unpleasant tongue abscess. The disease manifests itself as a reddened mucous membrane, difficulty swallowing and fever. Difficulty breathing may appear later when the abscess reaches a certain size.

A tongue abscess is usually first treated with medication; however, surgery often has to take place afterwards. In principle, the disease is harmless, but if it progresses untreated and / or complications occur, it can potentially become life-threatening.

causes

The causes for one Abscessed tongue lie in bacteria that penetrate the oral mucosa and cause an infection there. This happens, for example, when there is a small wound in the oral mucosa.

When eating food, germs can get into this wound and multiply there, which can lead to inflammation and ultimately to the formation of a tongue abscess. If there are already diseases in the oral cavity or in the surrounding areas, germs living there can also be the trigger for an abscess.

Inflamed tooth roots or otherwise diseased teeth are not infrequently responsible for a tongue abscess, as well as inflamed lymph nodes in the neck area. Inflammation of the mandibular salivary glands is also a possible cause of a tongue abscess.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

A tongue abscess is a collection of pus fluid that is located in a cavity. If this phenomenon occurs in the oral cavity, the affected person suffers from severe pain. With the naked eye, you can usually only see a small blister under the tongue, which is filled with pus fluid.

If the affected person opts for medical and drug treatment, the abscess and the associated symptoms will slowly subside. However, if such a treatment is not used at this point, the pain will increase considerably. The abscess will grow in size and the pus will also increase, so a visit to the doctor will be essential.

In such a case the symptoms will worsen so that the pain will increase significantly. The pressure in the cavity increases, so there is a risk of blood poisoning. The pus bladder ruptures and the bacteria enter the bloodstream. Symptoms such as dizziness, circulatory problems or nausea occur, which should also be treated by a doctor or even as an inpatient. A tongue abscess has obvious and clear symptoms that should always be looked after by a doctor. If this does not take place, then a considerable worsening of the individual symptoms can be expected.

Diagnosis & course

Is there any suspicion of one Abscessed tongue, the treating doctor will first inspect the throat and pharynx to see whether there is an abscess there and, if so, where it is located exactly.

A mirror is used for this. If not everything can be seen exactly in this way, the doctor can use an endoscope with which he can penetrate into areas that are difficult to reach. A swab of the inflamed mucous membrane provides information about the exact pathogen.

A blood test may also be done to rule out other diseases such as a tumor. If a tongue abscess is left untreated, it can cause numerous unpleasant symptoms. If it reaches a certain size, it can cause breathing difficulties and, in the worst case, death from suffocation.

Complications

If a tongue abscess is left untreated for a longer period of time, it can lead to breathing difficulties and problems with eating. In extreme cases, the patient suffocates as a result of the lack of oxygen supply. The tongue abscess itself occasionally causes inflammation in the mouth, from which further abscesses can develop.

If the pathogens get into the lungs, pneumonia can occur. Transmission into the blood may cause blood poisoning, which is fatal if left untreated. Furthermore, an abscess leads to fever and a general feeling of illness that severely restricts the quality of life of the person affected. Since speaking is hardly possible any more, everyday tasks and social interaction with others can hardly be managed.

This can lead to problems, especially with chronic abscesses, as the person concerned then often withdraws and under certain circumstances develops a mental illness. The treatment of a tongue abscess with antibiotics carries the risk of side effects and interactions, for example headache, muscle and limb pain or skin irritation. Surgery can cause injuries, infections, wound healing disorders, and other complications. In most cases, however, the treatment proceeds without any major problems.

When should you go to the doctor?

A doctor should be consulted as soon as there are changes in the tongue area. Consultation with a doctor should be sought in the event of swelling, ulceration or other changes in the tissue. If there is pain, changes in the movement of the tongue or an uncomfortable feeling in the mouth, there is cause for concern. If there is an unusual taste in the mouth, the formation of pus, changes in the teeth, or refusal to eat, a doctor will be needed. Other complaints include dizziness, heart rhythm disorders, nausea, or vomiting.

If these irregularities persist for several days or if they increase, the person concerned needs medical care. Sensitivity disorders in the mouth, hypersensitivity to everyday stimuli such as heat or cold and inconsistencies in wearing dentures are among the symptoms that need to be examined and clarified.

Loss of appetite, changes in language and the refusal to speak indicate a health disorder. Changes in behavior, a general feeling of illness and sleep disorders should be discussed with a doctor. If pus gets into the bloodstream, a life-threatening condition can develop. Therefore, cooperation with a doctor should be sought as soon as the first irregularities and health complaints arise.

Treatment & Therapy

Clearly became one Abscessed tongue diagnosed, the attending physician will initiate appropriate therapy. Since this is a bacterial infection, it is usually treated with antibiotics.

In many cases, however, this therapy does not work or works only inadequately, so that a surgical procedure must be carried out. This is particularly the case if the infection has become so stuck in the tissue that it cannot be eliminated with medication. During the operation, the inflamed tissue around the tongue abscess is liberally removed to prevent the infection from breaking out again.

Antibiotics are then administered again to support the healing process and also to counteract a re-emergence of the inflammation. If such a combination of medicinal and surgical treatment takes place, a tongue abscess is usually very curable. Rapid healing also depends, among other things, on the stage of the abscess at which therapy is started. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear.

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prevention

One Abscessed tongue can be prevented to some extent through proper oral hygiene. Regular checkups and / or treatments at the dentist can also prevent diseased teeth from introducing germs into the oral mucosa. However, if symptoms occur that could possibly indicate a tongue abscess, a doctor should be consulted in good time.

Aftercare

As a rule, there are only very few measures and options for direct follow-up care available to those affected by a tongue abscess, so that the person affected should ideally consult a doctor early on and initiate treatment. As a rule, it cannot heal independently, so that a visit to a doctor is always necessary.

Those affected themselves usually need to take various medications to limit and alleviate the symptoms of this disease. The correct dosage and regular intake should always be observed in order to counteract the symptoms correctly and permanently. If you have any questions or questions, you should always consult a doctor first.

Furthermore, when taking antibiotics, it should also be noted that they should not be taken together with alcohol in order not to reduce their effect. As a rule, a tongue abscess can be healed relatively easily, so that this disease does not lead to a reduced life expectancy for the person affected.

You can do that yourself

A tongue abscess is usually noticeable in everyday life. But even with severe pain, the wound should never be touched with fingers, handkerchiefs or other aids. The abscess must not be opened willfully by the patient. This should always be done by a doctor. Otherwise there is a risk of serious infection and other complications.

For this reason, the person concerned should also be careful when brushing their teeth. Spicy oral care products or irritating foods should be avoided. It is also advisable to stop smoking until the wound has healed, or at least to reduce it drastically. Rinsing your mouth with oil or antibacterial mouthwash will help prevent an unpleasant taste or smell caused by the accumulation of pus. However, this should not be used too often as it irritates the mucous membranes.

Wound healing can be promoted by some measures. It can be helpful to put a piece of garlic on the wound occasionally, which can reduce the swelling. Salt has a similar effect. For this reason, treating the abscessed tongue with a saltwater solution can help in some cases. In the short term, placing ice cubes can relieve pain and pressure.