Like a Book of Lit Matches in Your Mouth: Medical Mystery of Chronic, Flaming Sensation

By LAUREN CAHOON
ABC News Medical Unit

Feb 14, ABC News


Since April, Nadia Cwiach has spent every day with her mouth and tongue on fire.

"When it initially started, it was like a burning down my throat. I thought it was reflux or an allergic reaction," Cwiach said.

But after a series of unhelpful allergy medicines and a battery of blood tests, Cwiach's doctors found nothing physically wrong with her.

For Cheryl Jones, it was two years ago, when she was chewing cinnamon-flavored gum.

"I remember chewing the gum and thought that the burning was from that, but my tongue just kept burning," Jones said.

Jones went to her dentist who told her to get a softer toothbrush and to change her toothpaste and mouthwash, but still the burn persisted. The constant, fiery sensation drove Jones to her doctor, who then sent her to another doctor, who sent her to yet another and one more after that.

Her mouth is still on fire, making normally pleasant, everyday acts like speaking and eating quite literally a pain.

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photo: Burning mouth syndrome is a rare but painful condition that makes sufferers feel as though their mouths are on fire. (ABC News Photo Illustration)