Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Burning on the tongue

September 13, 2011 | 10,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch

Hello, I have a question. For the past 4 days, I have been experiencing a burning sensation on one side of my tongue. There is also a slight bitter taste. What could this be?

Christian Welsch

Dear questioner,

You should have your tongue examined by a dentist or ENT doctor. Most of the time, such symptoms are harmless irritations of the tongue mucosa. A fungal infection (e.g. after antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy) or colonization with bacteria not typical for the oral mucosa may be the cause.

Depending on the appearance of the tongue, a swab can help with the diagnosis. If ulcers are present, a small sample may need to be taken from the tongue.

Often, such symptoms disappear when brushing the tongue during oral hygiene. If the symptoms persist for a long time, blood tests for deficiencies (iron, vitamin B12) should be done. Psychological disorders or various medications can also trigger tongue burning.

I hope I was able to help you.

Best regards,
C. Welsch