Home Remedy for a Burned Tongue

There are few things as frustrating and as painful as accidentally burning your tongue on hot food or a hot beverage. In most cases, the best you can do is reduce the pain and avoid additional injury to the burn while you let it heal--and there are a few quick and easy solutions that can help take some heat out of that burn.

Ice

• Although ice alone will not heal a burned tongue, it can provide some relief from the burning sensation, as well as reduce the swelling of a serious burn. If possible, keep an ice cube or ice chips handy and suck on them throughout the day, as needed, to control the worst of the immediate post-burn pain.

Avoid Spicy or Rough Foods

• Sometimes you just have to let time heal the burn. A way to help it heal faster is to avoid eating acidic foods that will irritate your tongue--including things such as coffee, citrus fruits and tomato-based products. Avoid the hotter hot peppers, as well. Steer clear of rough-textured foods, such as thick tortilla chips, because these will poke at the healing skin inside your mouth.

Throat Spray

• If you don't have the time to sit around and let ice melt or eat ice pops and you need some quick relief from a burned tongue, consider using sore throat spray. The spray contains anesthetics that will numb the area and reduce the burning sensation for a short time.

Sugar, Honey & Tea

• There is some evidence that sugar, honey or some teas (e.g., orange pekoe) can have a soothing effect on the nerves of the tongue, thus reducing the pain associated with a tongue burn. Although these items will not heal the burn, they may provide some relief from the pain.