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What Causes Burning Sensation On Tongue In A Smoker?

Posted on Fri, 10 Apr 2015

Question: I have smoked cigars for about 5 years, 5 times a week. No problems until the other day when my tongue burned. Also have a little flap of skin under my tongue that has what looks like a pimple in it. I see my doctor in 10 days for semi annual check up but I am literally sick with worry. Done with cigars no matter what. Just a flare if inflammation or serious?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can you please upload its picture?

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Health Care Magic,

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your message and will try to help you in best possible way.

I would like you to give me some more info in this regard.

Can you please upload its picture?

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

Resident M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (22 minutes later)

Dear Doctor,
I have uploaded the images please suggest

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This doesn't seem to be anything serious.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back and uploading the picture.

I have had a close look at the picture which was thankfully quite clear.

According to your history and picture you uploaded i want to assure you that this DOES NOT look like any thing serious ,this is expected to heal in a week or so.

I will suggest you do a few things

1) Do not smoke until it gets healed

2) Don't use irritant foods liek spices, sour foods , fizzy drinks.

3) Don't rub it with teeth or tongue.

4) Get some oral gel like SOMOGEL and apply it every 6 hours with clean hands this will be really relieving.

The flap with pimple can well be normal in some people ... i couldn't really appretiate it in the picture but as mouth is full of granular structure and glands so small swellings are often normal.

For that swelling i will suggest you to discuss it with your doctor on anual checkup you don't really have to panic about that.

I hope this answered your question.If you have more questions feel free to ask otherwise close and rate the discussion .

Wish you health :)

regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

Resident .M.D.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (37 hours later)

The spot under my tongue seems to be slowly getting better, orajel definitely helps the discomfort as well as rinsing with salt water. I have been reading stuff on the web, and I may be paranoid, but today I have a bit of a scratchy throat. I had been in Arizona for a week (dry conditions) and took an all night flight to get back East. I read about this being a condition of throat cancer. My lymph nodes don't seem to be swollen and everything else in my mouth, (top of tongue, gums, cheeks and looking as far back in my throat with a light as I can) seem to be ok, no redness. Maybe it is a perfect storm of conditions that are coincidental, but tough to relax and not worry. Thanks in advance for your answer and any advice

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would need some info

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back to me,

I understand you concern and will try to address that in my answer. I would need some more info to give my opinion.

1) Isince when is scratchyness happening?

2) Did you lose any wieght lately?

3) Any mouth irritant you use ? like betel nut or something?

4) Is there any pain any where?

5) Does it ever taste like you are swallowing blood?

6) any family history of cancer?

I am waiting for your input.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (5 hours later)

As I said, I have smoked cigars off and on for several years. I have noticed some tenderness under tongue in the past but always went away, and this time I noticed it after having cigar. No unexpected weight loss, although I am trying to lose some just help with blood pressure. No pain anywhere else, no taste of swallowing blood. Just surprised it seems to be taking a while to heal but upon waking today, scratchiness I felt in throat yesterday is not present. The irritation is right where the tongue rests on my teeth, so it is being constantly irritated to a degree I guess. Maybe not having a cigar in over a month, then smoking one in a very dry climate is what irritated it so. Yes, there is a history of cancer, my Father had throat cancer. As I mentioned before, I have had my last cigar no matter what. This episode has woken me up and scared me a lot.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This doesn't sound like a cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

thanks for writing back,

I have read your description and I want to assure you that it DOES NOT sound like a cancer,

1) Cancers don't grow up in a night.

2) They have other symptoms like loss of weight ,

3) Blood taste in mouth or coughing blood.

4) Black stools.

5)pain on swallowing, or any things else indicative of it being a cancer.

In your case it sounds like a simple throat irritation.

If your father has throat cancer your must be aware that it wouldnt have started in a night it would have taken a long course before getting bad.

It sounds like a simple throat irritation which is expected to subside in a couple of days.

I am pleased to know that your mouth problem is getting better let me assure you that in my opinion this irritation will go in a couple of days.

I would suggest you not to panic and worry it can be an odd virus, or irritation or and odd cigar as you said, you don't have to worry at all.

Just stay calm and wait for two three days this will subside.

Wish you the best of health.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar