Why Is Your Mouth Suddenly on Fire from Spicy Foods?

For spicy food fans, that addictive tingle and burn on your tongue is part of the fun. But what if your favorite hot sauces and curries suddenly leave you miserable, with an upset stomach or mouth on fire?

If you’re suddenly intolerant to spicy foods that never bothered you before, your body may be trying to send you a message.

This sudden sensitivity likely means you have a medical condition that is making your mouth, digestive tract, or intestines extra sensitive to capsaicin and spice. Things like inflammation in your mouth and gut problems can lower your spice tolerance unexpectedly.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes of sudden spicy food intolerance, like glossitis, IBS, and gastritis. We’ll also cover when to see a doctor about new spice sensitivity, and how to manage symptoms in the meantime.

The good news is that sudden spicy food problems are often temporary. With treatment for the underlying cause, you can hopefully get back to enjoying fiery foods again soon!

Why Is My Mouth Suddenly Sensitive to Spicy Food?

Spicy food lovers know the delicious burn of their favorite chili pepper or extra spicy Buffalo wings. But when your spice tolerance suddenly drops to zero, something’s up.

This article will explore why your mouth and tongue may be surprisingly sensitive to spice, and when you should see a doctor about sudden spicy food intolerance.

What Makes Food Spicy?

Before we dive into reasons for new spicy food sensitivity, let’s take a quick look at what gives spicy foods their fire and bite.

The spice compound capsaicin binds to receptors in your mouth that sense heat and pain. This tricks your brain into thinking your mouth is literally on fire!

Capsaicin also irritates your throat, stomach, and intestines. Too much of this spice compound triggers:

• A burning mouth and throat
• Tummy pain and cramps
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

So if you previously handled spicy food fine but now react badly, your body may be trying to tell you something.

5 Reasons You’re Suddenly Spice-Intolerant

Wondering why your favorite spicy foods now leave you miserable? Here are some possible causes of sudden spicy food intolerance:

1. Tongue Inflammation

Sudden intolerance to chilli or spicy foods could mean you have a condition called glossitis. Glossitis leads to a swollen, smooth tongue that spikes pain when irritated.

Spicy foods like chili peppers can worsen this inflammation. Treatment includes managing what touches your tongue while it heals.

2. Gum Disease

Spicy food intolerance may also stem from inflamed, sensitive gums. Symptoms include tender gums that turn red and bleed after eating spicy dishes.

Gentle brushing, antibacterial mouthwash, and avoiding spice while your gums heal can help. See a dentist if gum disease is the cause.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Do spicy foods send you racing to the restroom? You may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

IBS means your bowel is extra-sensitive to certain triggers, like the compound capsaicin in spicy dishes. This leads to urgent diarrhea after eating.

See a doctor to discuss lifestyle changes and medications to manage IBS symptoms.

4. Gastritis

Gastritis means the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed and irritated. Spicy foods can worsen this irritation, causing:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Stomach pain

Acute gastritis is a sudden, temporary form you can develop after eating irritating foods. Avoid spicy foods while your gastritis heals.

5. Medications

Some prescriptions make your digestive tract extra-sensitive. Blood pressure and cholesterol medications may react with spicy food, worsening stomach irritation.

Check with your pharmacist or doctor about medication interactions if spicy food suddenly bothers you. They may suggest avoiding spice until treatment ends.

When to See a Doctor About Spicy Food Intolerance

Mild spicy food irritation might just mean your latest Indian take-out was too hot to handle. But if you regularly get sick after eating spice, see a doctor.

Be sure to make an appointment if:

• You have pain or irritation in your mouth or throat after spicy foods
• Spicy foods frequently cause nausea, cramps, or diarrhea
• You take medications that might interact with spicy foods

Your doctor can check for underlying issues and help you manage a newly-discovered spicy food intolerance.

Some ways your doctor may suggest coping until your spice tolerance returns:

• Avoiding spicy foods that trigger symptoms
• Taking anti-acid medication for heartburn
• Trying a low-FODMAP diet to calm IBS
• Swishing water in your mouth between spicy bites
• Starting with small amounts of spice and slowly increasing

The Takeaway: Enjoy Spicy Food Safely

For spicy food fans, nothing beats the thrill of extra hot Buffalo wings or curry that makes your taste buds tingle. But if favorite fiery foods are suddenly too much to handle, your body may be dealing with irritation or inflammation that makes spice painful.

See a doctor if spicy food gives you persistent mouth, stomach, or bowel symptoms. With treatment for things like glossitis, gastritis, or IBS, you can hopefully return to enjoying that spicy food burn again soon!

Sources

• CEENTA: Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
• John Hopkins Medicine: Gastritis
• John Hopkins Medicine: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• MDPI: Capsaicin, Nociception and Pain
• MedlinePlus: Glossitis
• National Library of Medicine: Foods Inducing Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Korea
• River Rock Dental: How Do Spicy Foods Affect Gum Health
• The Telegraph: Diarrhoea after eating spicy foods
• UNC School of Medicine: Stress and the Gut