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Burning mouth syndrome

Syndroma oris urentis (glossodynia) · Syndrom pálících úst

What it is

A scalded burning of the tongue and mouth with nothing to see — a nerve pain, mostly in women after the menopause.

Symptoms & signs

  • Burning of the tongue, lips or palate
  • worse as the day goes on
  • dry mouth
  • altered or metallic taste
  • normal-looking mouth

🚩 Get help if…

  • see a doctor soon A mouth sore, white or red patch or lump lasting over 3 weeks
  • see a doctor soon Numbness of the tongue or face
  • see a doctor soon Weight loss or trouble swallowing
  • see a doctor soon Sore, smooth red tongue — test for low B12 or iron

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Rule out deficiencies (iron, B12, folate, zinc), thrush, diabetes and dry mouth
  • clonazepam dissolved in the mouth
  • alpha-lipoic acid
  • cognitive behavioural therapy

Natural & lifestyle

  • Avoid spicy, acidic food and alcohol mouthwash
  • sip cold water, suck ice
  • stress reduction

Emerging & experimental

  • Low-level laser therapy
  • capsaicin rinses

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Alpha-lipoic acid — trials disagree mixed evidence
  • Capsaicin rinses — small trials desensitise the nerves early / small studies
  • Low-level laser — small trials early / small studies
  • Aloe vera gel — soothing; untested anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes