Taste buds are present on the tongue’s surface, on the back of tongue, on the sides, and the tip. They consist of receptor cells that are connected to varied nerve bundles. Taste buds help detect the taste and flavor of foods that we eat.
Swollen taste buds can occur due to minor causes like eating hot food or because of serious underlying condition. Besides swelling, swollen tastes buds may occur along with other symptoms like discolored tongue, loss of ability to taste, sore throat, pain, redness, white sores or boils, discomfort, red lumps, etc.
Treatment of swollen taste buds is dependent on the underlying cause.
Causes of swollen taste buds
The different causes of swollen taste buds along with the respective symptoms and treatment options are listed below:
- Allergic reactions: Swollen taste buds can occur due to allergic reaction to certain medicines; foods like nuts, wheat, citrus fruits, etc.; certain plants like poison ivy; allergens like pollen, dust, mold, etc; exposure to some chemicals; and insect bites, etc.
- Affected people may experience swollen taste buds, rash, and breathing problems in severe cases. An allergic reaction causes the WBCs to rush to the affected spot to fight the invasion, which causes inflammation and swelling of taste buds.
- It is treated with antihistamines and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Severe allergic reactions need emergency medical care.
- Eating salty, acidic, or spicy foods: Eating excessive amounts of spicy, salty, or acidic foods can irritate the tongue and cause swollen taste buds. Patients may also experience itchiness and redness. Rubbing the tongue against the teeth for alleviation of itching can result in bleeding.
- Vitamin B complex and C deficiency: These vitamins help maintain oral cavity health. Deficits in the vitamins can trigger sore tongue and enlarged swollen taste buds; these symptoms can occur due to scurvy. Other symptoms of scurvy are fatigue, malaise, irritability, bleeding and inflamed gums, breathlessness, and intense joint pain.
- Vitamin C and B complex deficiencies are treated with supplements and diet changes. In addition to the above, scurvy treatment involves different OTC and prescription medications and limiting or quitting alcohol intake.
- Swollen taste buds from sweets: Excessively eating sweets or sugary foods can irritate the tongue and cause swelling and inflammation of taste buds.
- Chewing tobacco, alcohol abuse: Chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol can cause taste buds on upper surface and back of tongue to become swollen. Cinnamon gum also causes burning and sore tongue and inflammation of the buds.
- Eating foods with high temperature: Intake of very hot foods or very hot beverages can irritate and burn the taste buds and cause them to become swollen. The adverse effects can worsen if the food or drinks are spicy.
- Pierced tongue infection: All kinds of tongue piercing are at risk to infection by pathogens. Pierced tongue infection can cause swollen taste buds, burning and tingling sensation, bleeding, redness, pain, fluid discharge, inflammation, and discolored tongue.
- It is treated with antibiotics, pain killers, and other medications. Proper oral hygiene that includes daily brushing and use of mouthwash is advised to prevent infection of pierced tongue.
- Cracked tongue and other tongue problems: Fissures or cracks on tongue; bruised tongue; excessive tongue rubbing or friction against teeth; geographic tongue; and tongue injuries like bites, cuts, burns, scrapes, or gashes can cause irritation of taste buds and swollen taste buds. Additional symptoms include loss of taste, metallic taste in mouth, and occasional bleeding.
- Side effects of medicines: Swollen taste buds can occur as a side effect of drugs like Adderall, etc.
- Mental problems: Mental problems like stress, depression, anxiety, etc., can cause hormonal imbalances and cause swollen taste buds and weaken the immune system, thereby increasing the risk to infections and other ailments. Besides emotional distress, hypothyroidism is another condition that is marked by hormonal disturbances and swelling of taste buds, eyelids, and lips.
- GERD/gastroesophageal reflux disease: It is a condition marked by abnormal upward flow of stomach acids into the throat via the esophagus. Sometimes, the acids may be too strong for the tongue to handle and can result in swollen taste buds. Additional symptoms include heartburn, bad taste in mouth, hoarse voice, regurgitation of food, and swallowing problems.
- Transient lingual papillitis: Commonly called lie pumps, transient lingual papillitis is marked by painful and swollen taste buds, which occurs due to irritation and inflammation of the fungiform papillae. Additional symptoms include painful red and white bumps, increased saliva production, and tenderness.
- The exact cause is not known, but intake of acidic or sugary beverages and foods, stress, gastrointestinal problems, etc. can increase the risk to transient lingual papillitis. It is not caused by infections by pathogens and is not contagious.
- Treatment includes use of localized anesthetic or antiseptic mouthwashes; yogurt for relief from discomfort; applying soothing agents and/or topical steroids; and garlgling with salt water.
- Other causes: Swollen taste buds may also be caused by oral infections like oral thrush or strep throat; oral herpes or other STDs; lupus, an autoimmune disorder; and oral cancer.
