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Suggest Treatment For Burning Feeling In Tongue
Question: My tongue has been painful for several weeks. Prior to this last long bout, the only time I would have this similar pain was after eating ketchup or pickles, so I assumed it was a newly developed vinegar allergy. I saw my local physician's assistant and he was stumped when the test came back negative for fugus. He treated it as an allergy, but the steroid 7 day packet didn't help, and when he added the anti-fungal meds to treat Thrush (even though the test was negative) it seemed to get slightly better for a couple of days. I completed the two wk regimen of meds but the pain is awful and prevents me from eating normal. There are no visible signs of abnormalities, just severe pain on the entire top of my tongue. It makes it difficult to speak/eat/drink. Can you suggest something that the PA may have missed?
Brief Answer:
Burning Mouth Syndrome.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This seems to be Burning Mouth Syndrome. The pain can vary in type, location and intensity.
2. A close-up image of the tongue will help.
3. The absence of any signs or abnormality is seen in this condition. Does this pain persist during sleep or is it present in the mornings on waking up?
4. Other similar conditions of the tongue including geographic tongue or medial rhomboid glossitis and autoimmune diseases cause some signs or abnormalities on the tongue. There are many uncommon causes (such as auto-immune, peri-menopausal hormone imbalance and so on) in addition.
5. Evaluation and treatment can be planned accordingly.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Burning Mouth Syndrome.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This seems to be Burning Mouth Syndrome. The pain can vary in type, location and intensity.
2. A close-up image of the tongue will help.
3. The absence of any signs or abnormality is seen in this condition. Does this pain persist during sleep or is it present in the mornings on waking up?
4. Other similar conditions of the tongue including geographic tongue or medial rhomboid glossitis and autoimmune diseases cause some signs or abnormalities on the tongue. There are many uncommon causes (such as auto-immune, peri-menopausal hormone imbalance and so on) in addition.
5. Evaluation and treatment can be planned accordingly.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
In response to your reply:
2. Yes, I am awakened in the night from the pain.
3. How do I attach pictures. I have two.
4. I currently have other symptoms of peri-menopause, how does this relate to hormone deficiency or imbalance?
Thank you,
XXXX
2. Yes, I am awakened in the night from the pain.
3. How do I attach pictures. I have two.
4. I currently have other symptoms of peri-menopause, how does this relate to hormone deficiency or imbalance?
Thank you,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Mild glossitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. There is a mild glossitis seen in the images.
2. This should settle down with treatment. Some of the possible causes in different people are:
a. Overuse of mouthwashes,
b. Mild Infections, including fungal (Thrush). There is a slight whitish discolouration in the middle (dorsum) of the tongue.
c. Dehydration, decreased Salivary flow,
d. Nutritional and mineral deficiencies (including B Complex and Folic Acid),
e. Low hemoglobin (Anemia),
f. Acid reflux,
g. Dental problems (your teeth appear to be in good health),
h. Food allergy or Intolerance,
i. Many rare causes which will require direct examination and tests. This would include peri-menopause symptoms.
3. Treatment is based on the most likely cause. Topical pain relief may be obtained by the use of Mucaine Gel or an anesthetic gel/mouthwash.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Mild glossitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. There is a mild glossitis seen in the images.
2. This should settle down with treatment. Some of the possible causes in different people are:
a. Overuse of mouthwashes,
b. Mild Infections, including fungal (Thrush). There is a slight whitish discolouration in the middle (dorsum) of the tongue.
c. Dehydration, decreased Salivary flow,
d. Nutritional and mineral deficiencies (including B Complex and Folic Acid),
e. Low hemoglobin (Anemia),
f. Acid reflux,
g. Dental problems (your teeth appear to be in good health),
h. Food allergy or Intolerance,
i. Many rare causes which will require direct examination and tests. This would include peri-menopause symptoms.
3. Treatment is based on the most likely cause. Topical pain relief may be obtained by the use of Mucaine Gel or an anesthetic gel/mouthwash.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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