Why is my tongue sore?

Why is my tongue so sore?

• Only the left side of my tongue hurts. It's not swollen, or burnt or anything. It's just sore, and gets really sore when I bite a tiny bit on it. WTF is up?

• Answer:

  If you have a sore tongue, you may feel a dull, stabbing, shooting, burning, or pins-and-needles sensation. The tongue is composed mainly of muscle. A sore or painful tongue can result from infection, inflammation, trauma, malignancy and other abnormal processes of the tissues of the tongue. One common condition that causes a sore tongue is glossitis, an inflammation of the tongue that also results in tongue swelling and discoloration that is caused by irritants, infection or other disorders. Depending on the cause, a sore tongue can begin suddenly and resolve on its own, such as after biting your tongue. Tongue pain or soreness that develops over time and worsens may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as cancer. In some cases, a sore tongue can be a sign of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, such as an anaphylactic reaction. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue, mouth or face, or a change in consciousness, seek immediate medical care (call 911). If you do not have these symptoms and your condition lasts more than a few days, recurs, or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care and talk with your doctor about your symptoms.