5 Causes of bleeding tongue from canker sores to cancer

Various causes of bleeding tongue plus how to fix it

1. Sores in the mouth

Sores (ulcers) in the mouth including the tongue occur due to hormonal changes and certain health conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency or inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcers can appear large in size with a red, circular rim. If you get hit by a sharp toothbrush and hard food that gets on the wound, your tongue may bleed. This condition can also be called stomatitis

Don't worry, generally this condition will heal on its own, which is about one to two weeks. However, if the wound persists for more than 3 weeks, consult a doctor immediately. Usually, to get rid of various symptoms that are quite painful, the doctor will prescribe mouthwash. In addition, doctors can also prescribe lozenges that contain corticosteroids.

2. Fungal infection

Fungal infections such as candiasis and thrush are health problems that can affect most parts of the mouth, including the tongue. Canker sores and other fungal infections can cause white to yellow spots that are quite sore in certain parts of the mouth.

Babies, people with diseases that attack the immune system, and people who take antibiotics will usually experience this one health problem.

If you eat foods with a sharp texture that injures canker sores, then small bleeding is unavoidable. To overcome this, the doctor will prescribe an antifungal in the form of a cream or drink.

3. Oral herpes

Oral herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type one or two. This type of herpes is spread through oral contact such as kissing or oral sex with a person who has an active herpes virus.

Although initially appearing in the mouth, oral herpes can appear on the tongue. If so, the sores on the tongue due to oral herpes are prone to bleeding if exposed to food with a rough and sharp texture.

Here are various symptoms of oral herpes that you need to be aware of, namely:

Redness and pain that generally affects around the mouth and lips.
A fluid-filled rash that, if broken, will open up an open wound.
The blisters that cluster and grow together form sizable lesions.
Itching, tingling, or burning sensation in the mouth.

Oral herpes cannot be cured, but taking several medications can help control the symptoms. Certain drugs can also make the virus inactive for a long time. Oral antiviral drugs and topical creams such as docosanol (Abreva) are the main oral herpes medications that will generally be prescribed.

4. Abnormalities of blood vessels and lymph system

Bleeding on the tongue can be caused by a blood vessel disorder called a hemangioma. This can occur due to lymph system disorders such as lymphangioma and cystic hygromas.

Usually, this condition is often found in the head and neck and mouth. Quoted from Healthline, about 90 percent of these disorders will develop before the child reaches the age of 2 years. Although rare, hemangiomas on the tongue can cause bleeding, pain, and difficulty eating. Generally, it will be more common in women than men.

To treat hemangiomas of the tongue, the procedure is adapted to the age and physical condition of the individual. Some of the possible treatments are surgery, giving corticosteroids, radiation, to laser. However, in most cases a hemangioma of the tongue will go away on its own without the need for treatment.

5. Tongue cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of tongue cancer. Apart from the tongue, this condition can affect the lining of the mouth, nose, voice box, thyroid, and throat. The various symptoms of tongue cancer that usually appear are:

Bleeding on the tongue
Pain when swallowing
A lump on the tongue that hurts
Mouth experiencing numbness

Tongue cancer treatment is adjusted according to the level of cancer experienced. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are treatment options for treating tongue cancer.

Home remedies to relieve tongue bleeding

Even though it is not intended to be a cure, you can make this home treatment an option to relieve symptoms and also bleeding on the tongue. Here are various things you can do:

Put an ice cube wrapped in a cloth on the wound on the tongue until the bleeding stops.
Gargle with warm water and an antiseptic mouthwash two to three times a day.
Press for 15-20 minutes the bleeding part of the tongue with a clean cloth
Rinse mouth with salt water or a baking soda solution three to five times a day.
Avoid hot, sour, spicy, and sharp foods and drinks that can irritate an injured tongue.
Do not touch the sore tongue and avoid chewing on the side of the tongue that hurts.

If indeed the at-home method above the bleeding does not stop, you should immediately go to the hospital for further treatment.

Prevent risk factors for tongue bleeding

Although certain health conditions that cause bleeding tongue are difficult to control, you can make several efforts to reduce the risk factors. Several ways that can be done, namely:

Maintain oral hygiene by brushing teeth and cleaning the tongue regularly.
Reducing alcohol consumption.
Do not smoke.

You also need to be careful when eating in a hurry which can cause your tongue to bite. In addition, try not to eat foods with a texture that is hard enough that can injure the tongue.