What is glossodynia?

Glossodynia, or painful tongue, is one of the many atypical pain syndromes encountered in dermatology. Others include burning mouth syndrome (diffuse burning of the oral mucosa), vulvodynia, burning feet syndrome, and atypical facial pain. Patients with these disorders often have underlying depression and often respond to antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or doxepin. Isolated cases have also responded to antipsychotic agents, such as olanzapine or anticonvulsants such as gabapentin.

Gick CL, Mirowki GW, Kennedy JS, Bymaster FP: Treatment of glossodynia with olanzapine, J Am Acad Dermatol 51:463–465, 2004.

Klasser GD, Fischer DJ, Epstein JB: Burning mouth syndrome: recognition, understanding, and management, Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 20:255–271, 2008.