Tongue burning and cut

michdjp
michdjp Member Posts: 220
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi to all

my dad is one and a half years out from chemo and radiation for tonsil and recently began complaining abut a burning tongue and if I look at it it has lines like cuts in it and he says it burns when he eats how can I help him with this? Anyone have suggestions how to clear this up? It is effecting this eating cause it burns 

thank you as always for your help and support

michelle

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #2
    tongue issues

     

    Michelle,

    Why it burns? Probably because of the cuts.  Why he had the cuts? Something he ate, proper nutrition & hydration, after effects of rads, some habit?

    I know that at 14 months out that many things citrus, spicy or even toothpaste can deal my tongue a punch.

    He needs to figure out the cuts and the burn will go away.


    Best of luck,

    Matt

     

  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #3
    CivilMatt said:

    tongue issues

     

    Michelle,

    Why it burns? Probably because of the cuts.  Why he had the cuts? Something he ate, proper nutrition & hydration, after effects of rads, some habit?

    I know that at 14 months out that many things citrus, spicy or even toothpaste can deal my tongue a punch.

    He needs to figure out the cuts and the burn will go away.


    Best of luck,

    Matt

     

    Thanks Matt

    I just read your post to him and he said he had pineapple and did try a different toothpaste so that makes sense. Ok so now that we figured it out how do we fix it? Lol thank you as always 

    p.s we r in Staten Island, ny and we are at a car show right now it is a beautiful day just to be with my dad enjoying this day I feel blessed so these little annoyances just irk me !! Not after what we've been thru!! Lol anyway thanks again 

    michelle

  • HobbsDoggy
    HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
    #4
    Cuts?

    No idea what would cause cuts.  For me 4.5 months + out I can still get "burns" with spicy foods or some salad dreessing.  Never saw cuts though.  The doctros tell me that only time will make me less sensitive to spicy stuff and maybe never less sensitive. Tounge is very sensitive, but does not seem easly damaged.   I think a call to the radiation doc is in order.  Just my two cents worth.

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #5
    Follow up to Matt

    Just wanted to add to what Matt mentioned, hydration. I found that if I got very dry during the night, my tongue feels like a slab of cement. I have learned to have water near by most times and also use the Biotene Dry Mouth Spray. A couple of squirts of BDMS under my tongue after a sip of water helps, day and night. My tongue would actually have tiny cracks in it and of course, anything spicy would bring a tear to my eyes.

    Enjoy the sun, cars, and time with family

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #6
    additionally

    Michelle,

    I might add medications to the list.  It seems everything has some side effects.

    It is nice and in the mid 80’s here today.  I am happily working around the house (outside).

    Matt

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #7
    brush

    for me my tounge was white, try and ugly, dentist suggested i use tooth brush and paste to clean it. if you eat or drink something other than water to clean your tongue. they also make tounge scrapers.... i did not like them. 

    it took several months but it did get better, not it is habit to brush tounge when i do teeth 3-4 times a day. 

    john 

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #8
    fisrpotpe said:

    brush

    for me my tounge was white, try and ugly, dentist suggested i use tooth brush and paste to clean it. if you eat or drink something other than water to clean your tongue. they also make tounge scrapers.... i did not like them. 

    it took several months but it did get better, not it is habit to brush tounge when i do teeth 3-4 times a day. 

    john 

    Poor guy
    I know my tongue is very sensitive at 9 months out. My ENT gave me nystatin to use anytime I feel any kind of sore or cut in my mouth.
    He could always try the baking soda/salt/water rinses too. I wish him lots of luck.
    Billie
  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #9
    Billie67 said:

    Poor guy
    I know my tongue is very sensitive at 9 months out. My ENT gave me nystatin to use anytime I feel any kind of sore or cut in my mouth.
    He could always try the baking soda/salt/water rinses too. I wish him lots of luck.
    Billie

    Thank you

    Thank you to all for your help.  I will try the nystatin that sounds good.  Does it come as a mouth wash or cream.? We got stuck in traffic yesterday and my phone lost battery so sorry for the delay In response.  Hope everyone has a nice weekend.  

    Michelle

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #10
    Nystatin
    It's a liquid and it's an RX so have your dr order it.
    Billie
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #11
    Billie67 said:

    Nystatin
    It's a liquid and it's an RX so have your dr order it.
    Billie

    Hi Michelle..

    I'm no doctor but I'm thinking along the lines of "cracks" not cuts.  Lack of saliva, pollen (the pollen is out in force here in Idaho.  It's 69 degrees and we think it's a heat wave at 5,500 feet up). does not help.  Does he sleep at night with his mouth open?  If so, you may want to suggest a humidfier at night (be sure and get a good, quiet one, it's worth the extra cash unless he likes noise at night).

    All the other stuff above is good advice as well.  Make sure he is not using any mouthwash with alcohol (or any product with that in it) as it will make things worse, not that you would not know that already.

    Enjoy time with Dad ...family is what matters.

    Tim

  • michdjp
    michdjp Member Posts: 220
    #12
    Tim6003 said:

    Hi Michelle..

    I'm no doctor but I'm thinking along the lines of "cracks" not cuts.  Lack of saliva, pollen (the pollen is out in force here in Idaho.  It's 69 degrees and we think it's a heat wave at 5,500 feet up). does not help.  Does he sleep at night with his mouth open?  If so, you may want to suggest a humidfier at night (be sure and get a good, quiet one, it's worth the extra cash unless he likes noise at night).

    All the other stuff above is good advice as well.  Make sure he is not using any mouthwash with alcohol (or any product with that in it) as it will make things worse, not that you would not know that already.

    Enjoy time with Dad ...family is what matters.

    Tim

    Yes

    I do think it is cracks And I guess when the sauce or citrus hits it it burns.  He said they are doing better (probable so I don't worry)

    but I gave him all of the advice given to me and like most things in time this to will heal.  

    Such tough posts lately I'm just so blessed I have my dad and even the complaints to complain about.  

    Thanks so much as always

    michelle

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