Tongue symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored

Spots, swelling could be signs of a serious condition, says UCI Health expert

IN THE NEWS: You may not spend a lot of time looking at your tongue, but the organ can surprisingly reveal a lot about your health. Dr. Hamid Djalilian, a board-certified otolaryngologist at UCI Health Ear, Nose and Throat Services, recently spoke with Huff Post about signs and symptoms of a possible problem your doctor should investigate.

“Most tongue sores are caused by something simple, like accidentally biting the tongue or irritation from a sharp tooth. But I would never ignore a sore that is still there after two weeks, especially if it feels firm, bleeds easily or seems to be getting larger. A persistent sore beyond three weeks can sometimes be an early sign of oral cancer and should be checked by a dentist or ear, nose and throat specialist and biopsied.”

Djalilian says sudden swelling of the tongue can become dangerous very quickly as it can block your breathing. He says if someone is having trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking, they should call 911 immediately, because it may be caused by a serious allergic reaction or a rapidly spreading infection that could block the airway.

Additionally, Djalilian says new lumps on the tongue, a mixed red-and-white patch on the side of the tongue and creamy white patches that wipe off and leave the tongue red or sore need to be evaluated by a physician.

Djalilian is a board-certified and fellowship trained in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery at UCI Health. His areas of expertise include complex ear surgery, hearing loss, balance disorders, facial nerve paralysis and skull base surgery. As a professor of otolaryngology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, Djalilian’s research is related to cochlear implants, acoustic neuroma and chronic ear disease. He has developed several innovative devices for the treatment of hearing loss, imbalance and tinnitus.

To make an appointment, call 714-456-7017.