When the tongue temporarily burns and hurts, too spicy food is often to blame. But permanent burning on the tongue is an agonizing symptom that can occur in the context of various diseases, by medication or but without any apparent cause. In the case of burning tongue, a comprehensive diagnosis is important in order to be able to recognize and treat possible causative diseases. We have compiled an overview of possible causes for you and give tips on what you can do against a burning tongue.
How does burning tongue develop?
The unpleasant sensation of a burning tongue usually occurs when the nerve fibers in the tongue responsible for pain and heat transmit a stimulus to the brain. This is the case, for example, when we eat something hot or spicy. In addition, various other substances can irritate the nerve fibers: for example, smoking or eating pineapple can cause a burning sensation on the tongue. This is then a natural reaction of the body and not to be considered pathological.
Burning mouth syndrome: chronic burning in the mouth.
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) refers to chronic burning pain in the mouth for which no cause can be found. Often, the tongue burns in the front and sides, and the palate, throat, and gums may also be affected. Some sufferers also experience dry mouth or taste disturbances. Usually, no change is visible on the tongue in burning mouth syndrome. Tongue coating, vesicles, pimples or red spots, on the other hand, are often an indication of underlying diseases. In that case, the symptoms are referred to as secondary – that is, caused by other diseases – burning tongue.
Burning tongue without cause
Burning mouth syndrome is an independent clinical picture, from which about three to four percent of adults suffer in Germany. The cause has not yet been adequately researched – but it is suspected to be a pathological change in the nerve fibers responsible for pain. Women suffer from burning mouth syndrome about seven times more often than men. The symptoms often begin with the onset of menopause. Stressful events or mental illnesses such as depression are also considered to be promoting factors for burning mouth syndrome. Recognize mouth diseases – these pictures help!
What is the cause of burning tongue?
However, a burning tongue can also occur as part of various diseases or be caused by other factors. In these cases, it is called secondary or symptomatic tongue burning. Among others, the following causes may be behind it:
- Allergy: a food allergy may be manifested by a burning sensation on the tongue when the corresponding food is eaten. Often there is also itching and a furry feeling in the mouth. Cross allergies are also often the cause in hay fever.
- Iron and vitamin deficiency: tongue burning can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. Thus, an undersupply of vitamin B6, vitamin B12 or folic acid, as well as an iron deficiency can be manifested by a burning tongue. Often affected are patients with celiac disease (gluten intolerance), in which the absorption of nutrients in the intestine is reduced.
- Dental disease: Poorly fitting dentures, gingivitis, tooth decay or other oral infections can cause burning in the mouth and on the tongue.
- Oral mucositis: Inflammation or irritation of the oral mucosa often occurs due to chemotherapy or radiation. In addition, frequent contact with acid – such as heartburn or binge eating – can lead to oral mucositis.
- Fungal infection: if the tongue burns and is coated, this may indicate an infection with a fungus (oral thrush). The white coating is strippable and may also appear on the palate and cheeks. Oral thrush often occurs during immunosuppression, such as chemotherapy or HIV infection.
- Oral thrush: Painful or burning white blisters on the tongue can be a symptom of oral thrush (stomatitis aphtosa). The disease is caused by a herpes virus infection and occurs especially in children and in people with weakened immune systems.
- Medication: Various drugs can cause burning tongue as a side effect.These include, for example, certain drugs for high blood pressure blood pressure drugs (so-called ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers), antidepressants, sedatives and some antibiotics and viral drugs.
- Diabetes mellitus: behind burning tongue is not infrequently an unrecognized or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Possible reason is the so-called diabetic neuropathy, in which it comes to misfeelings such as pain, burning or tingling in various parts of the body due to nerve damage.
- Neurological diseases: Diseases associated with nerve damage, such as multiple sclerosis, may be a cause of tongue burning.
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus or systemic scleroderma may be associated with burning of the tongue and mouth. In Sjörgen syndrome, saliva production is decreased, which can lead to dry mouth and a burning tongue.
- “Map tongue“: in a so-called map tongue, irregular white and red spots are found on the tongue, reminiscent of the image of a map. Additionally, burning of the tongue may occur. The cause of map tongue is unknown, but the change is harmless.
- “Tongue cancer“: In very rare cases, a painful or burning change on the tongue can be an indication of a tumor (oral cavity carcinoma).
- Scarlet fever: In scarlet fever, it typically occurs at the beginning of a white tongue coating on, later the tongue is bright red with red spots (“raspberry tongue”). Pain or a burning sensation on the tongue may accompany, but flu-like symptoms such as sore throat and difficulty swallowing are in the foreground.
Tongue burning: When to the doctor?
If you suffer from unexplained burning tongue for several days or recurrently, you should have the symptoms clarified by a doctor. This also applies if you notice visual changes on your tongue. The question “Who treats burning tongue?” is not easy to answer: depending on the cause, dentists, dermatologists, ENT specialists, neurologists, internists and doctors of psychosomatics may be involved in the treatment. A good first port of call is usually the family doctor – he knows you best as a patient and can refer you to an appropriate specialist. Tongue diagnosis: this is what spots, coatings and co. mean.
Cure for burning tongue?
The treatment of secondary tongue burning depends on the cause: if the trigger is successfully treated, the burning often disappears or at least improves. Burning mouth syndrome, on the other hand, is not curable by any therapy to date. However, spontaneous healing can occur: In about half of those affected, the burning sensation on the tongue disappears as suddenly as it appeared.
Treatment of burning tongue: What helps?
A few treatment options are available to relieve the discomfort of a burning tongue:
- Mouth rinses or lozenges containing anti-inflammatory or topical anesthetic agents such as lidocaine can help with burning tongue. Preparations with the active ingredient capsaicin have also proven effective.
- Saliva substitutes can be useful for dry mouth.
- Alpha-lipoic acid is used in diabetic neuropathy and has proven effective in the treatment of burning tongue. The drug is available over the counter in pharmacies.
- Some antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs are approved for the treatment of nerve pain and may be prescribed for burning tongue. Antidepressants can also improve symptoms via a positive effect on the psyche.
- Clonazepam is a strong sedative used for epilepsy, among other conditions, and may be taken only under a doctor’s orders. In severe cases of burning tongue, the drug can provide relief – if necessary, just sucking a tablet followed by spitting it out can be effective.
- Psychotherapy – especially the so-called cognitive behavioral therapy – has proven to be very effective for burning tongue. Here, patients learn, among other things, how to tackle the pain by controlling thoughts and feelings.
- In the field of alternative healing methods, there are some remedies from homeopathy as well as Schüßler salts that promise help with burning tongue.
On the question of how long tongue burning can last, there is no universal answer.However, patience is usually required during treatment: many of the drugs only show effect after a few weeks.
What to do when the tongue burns?
In addition to medical treatment, there are some home remedies for burning tongue. We have compiled six tips for you on what you can do yourself if you have a burning tongue:
- Teas or tinctures with herbal ingredients such as sage, mallow leaves, linden blossoms, marshmallow roots or aloe vera have an irritation-relieving effect.
- Gargling with salt water or ice cube sucking can provide relief.
- Drink enough to prevent dry mouth. Suitable drinks are, for example, still water or herbal tea. On fruit juices you should better do without – these can additionally irritate the tongue.
- Pay attention to careful oral hygiene and try out which care products are good for you. Avoid alcoholic mouth rinses and use a mild toothpaste.
- Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, meditation or yoga can improve mental well-being and thereby help to cope with the pain.
- Support groups for patients with chronic pain offer support through the exchange with others affected.
What to eat for burning tongue?
If you suffer from burning tongue, you should avoid foods with possible irritating effects if possible. These include, for example, acidic fruits such as pineapple and citrus fruits, as well as tomatoes, vinegar, carbonated drinks and coffee. Strongly spiced foods, alcohol and nicotine also further irritate the oral mucosa and can increase tongue burning.