swollen tongue

[HealthConcern]

My DD (14) developed a swollen tongue with wavy edges in November and it has never gone down since then.

When it first happened, we called 111 who sent us to A&E. We went home with an antihistamine.

For the last 4 months DD had a swollen tongue, it has never gone down and varies each day (20-45% of its normal volume) it's always more or less swollen with wavy edges.

Went to the GP who prescribed another antihistamine and said keep a food/ allergy diary. There has been no change in diet / products used / environment since November and the antihistamines don't help (the one from A&E helps a little).

🙏 What could it be, really hoping for someone to help?

We researched: covid tongue, allergies, vitamin deficiency, might it be viral (that was my first thought but everyone else at home is fine).

Ask your GP to refer you to specialist ?

you can develop an allergy at any time to anything.
it will be an allergy and not necessarily to anything new, and being that her diet hasn't changed nor has the swollen tongue it will be to something she regularly has contact with.
and the allergic reaction can be from as far back as contact 10 days prior.
literally it could be the toothpaste/mouthwash/garlic salt/crisps (especially flavored ones) anything, onions, anything.

I get a slightly swollen tongue when my vitamin B is low.

Worth checking for lichen planus with your dentist: wavy edges are classic.

I think the wavy edges are because the tongue sits up against the teeth so they leave imprints.
I had that after wisdom tooth removal that left half my tongue numb for a few weeks after nerve damage.
I couldn't hold that side as I usually do so it was sat up against my teeth and had those wavy marks.

Has she actually been tested for iron or b12 deficiency? It can also be caused by teeth grinding.

What kind of specialist? I'm at a loss and would love an idea if you have one xx

hmmm. true. She ate an out-of-date iron supplement on the day it happened (4 months ago), but hasn't had another one.

So you say if it's an allergy it's something she has contact with regularly?

Thanks! Hoping the GP will do a blood test

thank you!

thanks. hadn't thought of that!

Hopefully it's going to be the next step. thank you

Is the tongue sore?
Mine was swollen when I had oral thrush, but that was really painful too.

No, it's not sore, no lesions. Just swollen... Will check for oral thrush

Does she clench / grind her teeth at night?

Go and see your dentist , who is the specialist in the mouth. Take photos with you of when toungue is bad.
If they don't know what it is or it needs further treatment then they will refer you to an oral medicine clinic.
Off the top of my head there are around 200 things it could be , so go and see a dentist.

If she hasn't responded to anti-histamines I would ask the GP to do a blood test to rule out other causes. Thyroid problems can cause swelling and a scalloped tongue.

Just from an allergy pov i get it with tree pollen allergy. Which I get at odd times of the year and otc anti histamine doesn't help.

It took ages to work out what it was. I get a lot of skin itching without a rash too.

Not saying it is this but just in case it helps.

thank you so much @cocksstrideintheevening, @Lollygaggle, @Cloudhopping. I appreciate your responses!

Will see if she grinds her teeth. We've just been to the routine dental checkup dang! But dentist might have answers...

@vestanesta which anti-allergy medication helps you with the tree pollen?

I did an e-consult and the emergency doctor called back but then referred me on to our GP who will call soon. Will then find out about blood tests. Thyroid, and vitamin deficiency.

I'm determined to fix this.

Could it be stress related?

Did she take the iron tablet due to anemia? If so, anemia can cause a swollen tongue (glossitis).

Thanks @NormasJeans will get a blood check if we can so not sure of she has anemia. I gave her the iron tablet randomly as I had some left over from years ago... have since chucked them as they were outdated.