tongue swelling

[madam50]

My husband bit his tongue while eating a candy bar. Within an hour, his tongue had swollen so much it filled his mouth, He responded well to Prednisone and Benedryl in the ER and went home. He saw an allergist to see if he was allergic to chocolate or nuts and neither was the case. Two months later he did the same thing - this time while eating a hamburger. Same procedure in ER plus epinephrine shot and a transfer via ambulance to a larger hospital where he spent the night. This time the swelling lasted much longer and came on quicker than the first time. He now carries an Epi-pen but no one is sure what is going on. Could it be something in his own saliva? An auto-immune disease? Has anyone had this happen to them? Any suggestions? We are worried what might happen the next time he bites his tongue.

[AuntieLeela]

Maybe Hereditary Angioedema? It usually starts in childhood or early adulthood. Did he have bouts with abdominal pain/distress as a child?

Hopefully it's a fluke and won't happen a third time, but see a ENT doc (if you haven't already) in any case to rule out more serious disorders.

[marlee16]

Originally Posted by madam50

My husband bit his tongue while eating a candy bar. Within an hour, his tongue had swollen so much it filled his mouth, He responded well to Prednisone and Benedryl in the ER and went home. He saw an allergist to see if he was allergic to chocolate or nuts and neither was the case. Two months later he did the same thing - this time while eating a hamburger. Same procedure in ER plus epinephrine shot and a transfer via ambulance to a larger hospital where he spent the night. This time the swelling lasted much longer and came on quicker than the first time. He now carries an Epi-pen but no one is sure what is going on. Could it be something in his own saliva? An auto-immune disease? Has anyone had this happen to them? Any suggestions? We are worried what might happen the next time he bites his tongue.

This was several years ago but..did you find the cause ? Could it have been Matocytosis ?

[marlee16]

Hello, this has been several years ago, did you find the cause ?
Could it have been Mastocytosis ?

[JollyRoger]

Major tongue swelling is typically an allergic reaction, and usually to some medication, more often than not, a new one. But it is serious and shouldn't be dismissed.

While this is an old thread, I wonder what medications the gentlemen may have been taking at the time(s).. I have had this reaction too. Albeit to medications. Stopping the med in question usually solves the problem, thankfully.

-JR