What is the treatment for a thermal burn to the tongue caused by hot coffee?

Treatment for Thermal Burns to the Tongue from Hot Coffee

Immediate cooling with cold running water for 20 minutes is the recommended first-line treatment for a thermal burn to the tongue caused by hot coffee. 1

Immediate Management

1. Cooling the Burn

   • Apply cold tap water (15° to 25°C) to the burned area immediately
   • Continue cooling until pain is relieved (optimally for 20 minutes)
   • Avoid using ice directly on the burn as this can cause further tissue damage 1

2. Pain Management

   • Use multimodal analgesia based on pain severity
   • Consider over-the-counter pain medications if needed
   • Cold liquids may provide temporary relief 1, 2

Wound Care

• Keep any blisters intact to maintain a sterile environment and reduce infection risk 1
• If blisters are large or painful, they may be decompressed by piercing while leaving the blister roof intact to act as a biological dressing 1
• Apply a thin layer of greasy emollient (such as 50% white soft paraffin with 50% liquid paraffin) to protect the burned area 1
• Avoid acidic foods and beverages as they may cause considerable distress to the burned area 3

Ongoing Care

• Monitor for signs of infection including:

  • Increasing pain
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Unusual discharge
  • Fever or systemic symptoms 1

• Seek immediate medical attention if:

  • Pain worsens significantly
  • Burn appears deep or extensive
  • Signs of infection develop
  • Difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing occurs 1

Special Considerations

• Cold milk (5°C) has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing mouth burn sensation 2
• Sucrose solutions (10%) at room temperature can also help reduce burn sensation 2
• Avoid alcohol-based mouth rinses as they provide no additional benefit over water and may cause further irritation 2

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical care if the burn:

• Appears deep (affecting deeper layers of tissue)
• Covers a large area of the tongue
• Causes severe pain not relieved by cooling
• Shows signs of infection
• Interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing 1

Most minor thermal burns to the tongue will heal within 7-14 days with proper care. The tongue has excellent blood supply which generally promotes rapid healing compared to burns on other body parts.