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A variety of conditions can cause your tongue to tingle or become numb. You may experience a pins-and-needles sensation, similar to when an arm or leg falls asleep.
Depending on the cause, you may also have other symptoms that affect other parts of your body. For example, your fingers or toes may also feel numb.
Many reasons for a numb or tingling tongue are benign and easy to treat. However, others are much more serious and require immediate medical attention.
Here are some of the most common causes of tongue numbness or tingling:
A stroke, or a transient ischemic attack (TIA or ministroke), can sometimes cause a numb or tingling tongue and other symptoms. Strokes are caused by a brain bleed or by blood clots that block blood flow to the brain.
The main difference between a TIA and a stroke is that a TIA lasts much shorter (sometimes only a few minutes). However, both are medical emergencies.
Seek emergency care immediately if you notice the following:
Timing is everything when it comes to seeking emergency care following a stroke. A stroke starves brain tissue of life-giving oxygen, causing the brain tissue to die in as little as four minutes. When a stroke occurs, the most important factor is the time of onset of the stroke to emergency treatment.
To effectively treat a stroke, your medical provider will want to supply you with the proper medication as soon as possible. Depending on the kind of stroke, this medication will either break up blood clots or reduce blood pressure. You may also require surgery.
You’ll likely receive physical therapy and other longer-term treatments to ensure the soonest and most complete possible recovery. The rehabilitation process following a stroke can take months or years, but it is possible to recover fully.
Tongue numbness or tingling can sometimes be a sign of an allergic reaction. You may be allergic to a specific food, a new medication, or something in the environment, such as pollen or a bee sting.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). These include:
Benzonatate, a cough suppressant, can cause severe allergic reactions, including a numbing tongue. Talk to your doctor before using benzonatate.
Treatment for allergies often includes oral or nasal medications, such as antihistamines. Many of these are available over the counter.
You may also benefit from HEPA filters or other measures to remove allergens in your home.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause you to notice tongue numbness or a metallic taste in your mouth.
Anyone can experience low blood sugar. However, it’s especially common in people with diabetes. For example, going too long between meals can trigger hypoglycemia in a diabetic person.
Other symptoms of low blood sugar include:
You can raise your blood sugar to normal levels in mild cases by eating or drinking something sweet. A snack-sized portion may be enough.
See a doctor if you experience low blood sugar repeatedly within a week or develop severe symptoms.
When your blood calcium levels get too low, you may notice numbness or tingling around your mouth, hands, and feet.
You’re likely to have other symptoms as well, such as:
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you have these symptoms. Untreated severe hypocalcemia can lead to cardiac arrest.
Treatment for hypocalcemia generally includes providing an IV of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride, sometimes with vitamin D.
Additional treatment may depend on the underlying cause of the drop in calcium levels. Possible causes include:
Low levels of vitamin B12 or B9 (folate) can cause symptoms involving your tongue. These include soreness, swelling, numbness, and altered taste. You may also notice sensations in your hands and feet and feel unusually tired.
Certain drugs, such as metformin or many heartburn or acid reflux medications, can cause vitamin B deficiency. It can also be due to a deficient diet.
Diets low in meat or dairy can lead to low levels of B12. Not eating enough fruits or vegetables can lead to low B9. Talk to your doctor about vitamin B deficiency if you notice tongue soreness or other symptoms.
High-dose supplements or regular vitamin injections can treat vitamin B deficiency.
Your tongue may tingle or become numb as part of the onset (aura) of a migraine headache. You may also become dizzy or notice disturbances in your vision (blind spots or moving patterns).
Migraines are severe, throbbing headaches that typically affect one side of the head. They also often cause nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine attack can last a day or more.
Migraines are chronic and don’t have a known cure. However, they can be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication.
Talk to your doctor about treatment options if you struggle with migraine headaches.
An anxiety or panic attack can also make your tongue feel numb or tingly. You may feel a similar sensation in other body parts, such as your hands, feet, or face.
Panic attacks don’t usually last long, but they can be self-reinforcing while they last. For example, noticing that your tongue feels numb could lead to even greater anxiety.
Other anxiety or panic symptoms include:
When you have a panic attack, your body engages in its fight-or-flight response. This can happen even when there is not a real threat.
This response naturally slows down after a few minutes. Simply being aware that you’re having a panic attack can help.
Frequent panic attacks can benefit from professional treatment. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and anti-anxiety medication. Exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques can also reduce anxiety and improve your ability to cope.
Some less common causes of tongue tingling or numbness include:
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) can cause tingling or numbness in the tongue or mouth. But it most often causes a stinging or burning sensation. It can also cause altered taste and mouth dryness.
BMS or BMS-like symptoms can link to:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the brain and nervous system. It makes walking, movement, and speech difficult. MS can also cause tingling or numbness in various parts of the body.
Raynaud syndrome is a condition involving spasms of the small blood vessels of certain parts of the body. It most often causes the fingers to change color and feel painful or numb. This is because blood flow is reduced and then returns.
However, Raynaud syndrome can sometimes affect the toes, ears, nose, lips, or tongue. Cold or stress often triggers these spasms.
Your tongue could become numb or feel strange due to nerve damage. This is most likely to happen following oral surgery, such as wisdom tooth removal.
Oral surgeons take every precaution to avoid damaging the sensitive nerves of your tongue and mouth. However, nerve damage does sometimes occur. In many cases, the tingling or numbness goes away after several months.
See a doctor if you experience any of the following:
Depending on your symptoms, you may need to seek immediate medical attention.
Call emergency medical services if you experience:
These could be signs of a stroke, TIA, or severe anaphylaxis. The sooner you get medical attention, the better.
Numbness of the tongue or tongue paresthesia (tingling) can be caused by a range of conditions, from mild to life-threatening.
Some causes, such as strokes, may require months or years of recovery. Others, like low blood sugar, can sometimes be remedied almost immediately.
You can generally manage and treat the various causes of tongue numbness. And in some cases, you can completely cure it. Talk to your doctor about available treatments.
A numb or tingling sensation in your tongue can happen for various reasons. Depending on the cause, you may notice other symptoms.
Sometimes people experience tongue numbness due to a nutrient deficiency, such as low calcium or B vitamins. Other cases may involve a more serious underlying health condition.
If you have recurring tongue numbness or tingling, talk to your doctor. Get medical help immediately if you notice symptoms of a stroke or severe allergic reaction, such as a severe headache or difficulty breathing.
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