ASK A STUPID QUESTION

WHY DO I GET ULCERS ON MY TONGUE?

Renee McGregor, Clinical Dietician says: ‘The most common cause of ulcers on the tongue is the beginning of a cold-like virus as the body releases inflammatory proteins in the nose and mouth area to fight infection.

‘As we use our tongue to eat, it is vulnerable to small injuries which the body will try to repair. If a virus is present, the body may overreact to any injury.

‘However people who are deficient in Vitamin B12 and iron – both found in red meat – may have chronic ulcers on the tongue. These nutrients are important for healthy red blood cells and without enough of them the transport of oxygen to the small cuts in the tongue – via the red blood cells – is compromised.’

‘In rare cases, ulcerated tongues can be a sign of an autoimmune disease such as Coeliac disease or Crohn’s Disease.’