What Causes Burning Sensation Of Tongue?

Posted on Thu, 10 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 Answered on

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a rare situation in which my tongue started acting funny about six month ago. It started burning and moving rapidly about my mouth. I was put on Gabapentin , ultimately increasing to 600 mg 4 x day, which has almost totally decreased the symptoms. When I first saw the ENT docs (eventually saw 3 ENTs) I kept pointing out a sore by my frenum, but it ws ignored each time. Finally my dentist said it was infected and treated it with an antibiotic mouthwash. Now my ENT is going to biopsy it. A CT Scan show enlarged cranial nerves all around my mouth except here by the sore that will be biopsied. Could that sore be the cause of all my mouth and tongue problems or are they related to the enlarged cranial nerves?/ Also, FYI, I have Polymyalgia Rheumatical, and have a Sphenoid Cyst behind my right eye that is infected and is going to be removed by same ENT. He does not believe it is the cause of my tongue problems. He thinks I might have a progressive neurological disorder. However, a neurologist recently saw me for my tongue and gave me the all-clear, saying I was fine neurologically . I am stumped. What your opinion?

Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Descriptive Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query. Burning sensation over tongue which responded to Gabapentine can be because of some neuraligia or some non specific burning. You have not stated any visible finding on the tongue except a sore near frenulum, so, I suppose that rest of the tongue is visibly normal. Enlarged criminal nerves around mouth is a vague description and you please write down the exact CT description or attach the report. Otherwise this conveys nothing. Also your sore near the frenulum if it is not healing with antiseptic mouth wash is rightly being biopsied. Next course of action for this sore will depend upon the biopsy report. Meanwhile, you should maintain a good oro-dental hygiene, get a dental examination done (in case there is even a small dental problem), use a B complex for few days and a probiotic preparation. Your sphenoid sinus problem will not be related to the tongue condition but can be cause of post nasal drip and this can lead to some discomfort in the throat or oral cavity including bad taste or some vague sensation. Steam inhalation helps in this till the time your get a surgical intervention for that. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar