Taste buds help detect varied tastes of food like sweet, bitter, sour, etc. They have receptor cells which are attached to different nerve bundles and are present on the tip, sides, and back area of tongue. Swollen taste buds may be harmless and occur due to minor causes like eating very hot foods, or it can be chronic and be a symptom of some serious underlying disorder.

Swollen taste buds may be accompanied by symptoms like tongue discoloration, inability to taste food, tongue pain or discomfort, sore throat, redness of tongue, and boils, sores, or reddish bumps on tongue. Mild cases of swollen taste buds can be treated with home remedies and self-care measures, while chronic cases are treated as per underlying causative condition.

Swollen (inflamed) taste buds – causes and treatment

Swollen taste buds may occur due to below listed causes which are mentioned along with associated symptoms and treatment options.

1. Mild causes

• Intake of large amounts of salty, spicy, and/or acidic foods can trigger tongue irritation and cause the taste buds to become swollen. There may be redness along with itchiness. When the tongue is rubbed against the teeth for finding relief from itchiness, then bleeding may occur.
  • Increased intake of sugary treats or sweets can also cause tongue irritation and inflamed and swollen taste buds
  • Eating very hot foods or drinking beverages with high temperature can cause tongue irritation, burning of taste buds, and swollen taste buds. These symptoms may be more prominent if such hot foods are spicy.
  • Avoid/limit eating spicy, salty, acidic, sugary, and/or hot foods.
• Alcoholism and prolonged smoking or chewing tobacco can result in inflammation and swelling of the back and upper area of the tongue. Sore and burning tongue along with inflamed taste buds may also occur due to chewing cinnamon gum.
  • Quit smoking, alcohol, and tobacco products.
• Using drugs such as adderall, etc. can also cause swollen taste buds as a side effect.
  • Consult doctor for alternative medications.
• Deficiencies in vitamin C and vitamin B complex can cause swollen and enlarged taste buds along with sore throat. It may be noted that these vitamins contribute towards good dental health. Vitamin B complex and vitamin C deficits can also cause scurvy which is marked by additional symptoms like overall felling of being unwell, fatigue, inflamed and bleeding from gums, irritability, shortness of breath, and extreme pain of the joints
  • Use of supplements and diet modifications can help overcome vitamin deficits. Scurvy treatment also involves varied OTC and prescription drugs and avoiding alcohol.

2. Serious causes/Underlying conditions

• Allergic reactions to foods like nuts, etc., certain chemicals and toxins, certain plants like poison sumac, environmental allergens like dust, pollen, etc., bee stings and insect bites, and prolonged sun exposure, etc. can cause swollen taste buds.
  • Severe allergic reactions may cause breathing issues, hives, and skin rash, etc. in addition to swelling and inflammation of taste buds. Allergic reactions are marked by buildup of white blood cells at affected body area, which is what triggers the adverse symptoms.
  • Allergic reactions are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, and other medications. Emergency care is needed for anaphylactic reactions.
• Transient lingual papillitis is an oral condition which occurs due to inflammation and irritation of fungiform papillae. Its precise cause is unknown, by eating/drinking sugary or acidic foods/beverages, gastrointestinal disturbances, and increased stress can trigger the oral cavity ailment. It is not contagious and not caused by infections.
  • In addition to swollen and painful taste buds, patients may experience whitish or reddish bumps on tongue, tenderness, and elevated release of saliva.
  • Transient lingual papillitis is treated with antiseptic or local anesthetic mouthwashes, topical steroids, calming balms, salt water gargles, and yogurt for pain alleviation.
• Tongue piercing infection is another cause of swollen taste buds. Patients may suffer from tingling, numbness, and burning sensation in mouth, abnormal redness, bleeding, pain, oozing, and tongue inflammation and discoloration.
  • Pain killers, antibiotics, and other drugs are used for treating pierced tongue infections. Proper dental hygiene can help prevent such infections.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a gastrointestinal disease which causes reverse flow of stomach acids and other stomach content to the mouth via the food pipe. Swollen taste buds may occur if the stomach acids are too strong for the tongue.
  • Patients may suffer from taste buds swelling, sour taste in mouth, heartburn, reflux/regurgitation, hoarseness, and swallowing difficulties, etc.
  • GERD is treated with antacids and other medications, diet changes, quitting smoking, alcohol, and other lifestyle modifications.
• Different kinds of tongue health problems like cracks or fissures on tongue; geographic tongue; tongue bruises, cuts, burns, scrapes, bites, or gashes, etc., caused by excess friction against tongue or tongue trauma/injuries may cause tongue irritation and swollen taste buds.
  • Patients may also suffer from metallic flavor in mouth, loss of ability to taste, and minor bleeding, etc.
  • Tongue problems are treated as per the causes.
• Swollen taste buds may also occur due to stress and other mental disturbances, hormonal problems, hypothyroidism induced hormonal imbalance, strep throat, oral thrush or other oral infections, oral STDs, oral herpes, oral cancer, and lupus.

Swollen Taste Buds – Pictures