Pictures and Treatment of Hematomas Under the Tongue

Understanding Tongue Hematomas

A hematoma is a collection of blood that occurs outside of a blood vessel. Hematomas can occur anywhere in the body, including on or under the tongue. Tongue hematomas, often simply called tongue bruises, occur when blood vessels under the tongue break and leak blood into the surrounding tissues.

What Causes a Hematoma on the Tongue?

There are several potential causes of tongue hematomas, including:

• Accidental biting or trauma
• Dental procedures like tooth extractions
• Braces rubbbing against the tongue
• Chemotherapy treatment
• Blood thinner medications
• Excessive vomiting
• Seizures

In most cases, tongue hematomas are the result of inadvertent bites to the tongue or oral trauma from eating crunchy foods, brushing too hard, or having dental work done. The trauma breaks small blood vessels under the tongue, allowing blood to seep out.

Symptoms of a Tongue Hematoma

The most common signs and symptoms of a tongue hematoma include:

• Visible bruising, bluish-purple discoloration, or blood-filled swelling on or under the tongue
• Swelling of the tongue
• Tongue pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Metallic taste in the mouth from blood

The size of the hematoma can vary from a small bruise to a goose egg sized swelling. The extent of symptoms depends on the location and size.

Pictures of Hematoma Under the Tongue

One of the best ways to get an accurate idea of what a tongue hematoma looks like is through pictures.

Small Tongue Hematoma

A minor tongue bruise may appear as a small bluish area on part of the tongue:

This image shows a mild hematoma on the side of the tongue. There is subtle blue/grey discoloration from blood spread in the tissue under the tongue surface. The tongue shape and size appear fairly normal.

Large Tongue Hematoma

More extensive bleeding and swelling can result in a dramatically large, blood-filled tongue hematoma:

This hematoma involves a greater area of the tongue, which appears swollen and misshapen. The top and left sides show dark blue bruising under the surface, resulting from a bleed between the underside of the tongue and the floor of the mouth.

Is a Tongue Hematoma Serious?

In most cases, minor tongue bruises resolve on their own without needing special treatment. The broken blood vessels gradually stop bleeding, blood gets reabsorbed, swelling subsides, and any discoloration fades.

Rarely, some very large hematomas can potentially obstruct breathing. Seek emergency care if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Let your dentist know if you have extensive bruising, pain, or swelling that persists beyond a few days.

When to See a Doctor

You should make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if you experience:

• Severe, suddenly swelling
• Very large tongue bruising
• Excessive bleeding from the tongue
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Tongue pain that worsens or persists over several days

These signs may indicate a more serious injury or blood clotting issue requiring medical treatment. Prompt evaluation can prevent rare complications like infection or tissue death.

Treatment for a Tongue Hematoma

Minor tongue bruises typically don’t require any special home treatment. Simply allow it to heal on its own. Some suggestions include:

• Avoid spicy, crunchy, salty, acidic, or hot foods that could further irritate the tender tongue
• Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed
• Gently clean the area with warm saltwater
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling

Larger hematomas may warrant prescription treatments from a doctor, like:

• Oral antibiotics to prevent infection
• Steroid medications to decrease inflammation
• Anticoagulant (“blood thinner”) drugs for serious bleeding or clotting disorders
• Procedures to drain fluid from larger blood-filled swellings

Following any injury or dental work involving the tongue, monitor the area closely over the next several days. Seek prompt medical advice if severe symptoms develop or worsen rather than improving.

Preventing Tongue Hematomas

You can reduce the risk of accidentally biting or injuring your tongue by:

• Eating slowly
• Thoroughly chewing hard, crunchy or sharp foods
• Seeking dental treatment for broken or sharp teeth
• Getting cavities filled to prevent tooth pain leading to chewing issues
• Wearing a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth
• Removing oral piercings before eating, brushing teeth, etc to avoid trauma
• Working carefully around the mouth with dental floss, brush bristles, or other oral hygiene tools to avoid damaging sensitive tissues

Let your dentist know if braces or dental appliances are irritating your tongue. Dental adjustments or protective wax over top may help. Also inform your doctor if you take blood thinners, as stopping or switching medications under medical guidance may help minimize bleeding risks.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Schedule an urgent visit with your primary care physician, dentist, or oral surgeon if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing that begins suddenly
• Swelling that develops quickly
• Bleeding from the tongue that does not stop
• Severe tongue pain
• Fever, chills, worsening pain or fouls smell suggesting infection

These professionals can assess the injury and determine appropriate next steps for care. In rare cases of hematomas obstructing the airway, call emergency services right away.

Outlook for Tongue Hematomas

The prognosis is excellent for minor tongue bruises with no other complications. With proper home care focused on symptom relief, small hematomas generally resolve completely within 7-14 days. Larger hematomas may take up to several weeks to fully heal depending on size.

More extensive tongue hematomas may potentially cause scar tissue. But even larger bruises typically eventually resolve without major long term issues with proper medical treatment. Seeking prompt care for any signs of infection, obstructed breathing, or severe pain can help prevent rare serious outcomes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.