DEAR DR. GOTT: As a child I frequently suffered from mouth sores. By chance I chewed on a wooden fork while eating French fried potatoes at age 12. (I am now 70.) The following day I had about 20 sores in my mouth near my lips.
Although no doctor then, or now, believed wooden utensils, tongue depressors or any other treated wood products put in the mouth caused these sores, I religiously made sure I did not use them. I didn’t have a sore again until I was 35.
I was at a function where chicken was served on wooden skewers. I carefully removed the skewer and ate the chicken. Two days later I had about 100 sores in my mouth and down my throat. I was in agony. My dentist helped by cauterizing as many as he could reach. The sores erupted for about five days.
Fifteen years or so passed after the incident without another sore. Then I ate some vegetables that had been barbecued on a wood skewer (which I didn’t know about). Thankfully that episode was not as severe as the earlier one, with only about 50 sores total.
Now, 20 more years have elapsed and I have not had another sore. I discussed with this an allergist who did not take me seriously. Nonetheless, I am certain that there is a cause and effect relationship between the treated wood and my mouth sores.
I am writing in the hopes that my experience will help some of your readers.
DEAR READER: While your physicians have dismissed your experience and belief, I am inclined to believe you. You have some fairly strong evidence that there is, in fact, a direct link between wooden utensils/skewers and your mouth sores.
Thankfully, in your situation, you were able to notice the correlation and take steps to avoid exposure, as is prudent for anyone with an allergy. Depending on the allergy, OTC antihistamines and allergy medications such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra may be beneficial. In the case of severe allergies, such that those to bees, certain foods (especially nuts), etc., a prescription for an Epi-Pen may be recommended.
You don’t mention what you tried for relief, but I’d be willing to bet that Benadryl would have helped prevent an outbreak (in the case of the skewered foods) if taken prior to eating or as soon as the discovery was made that a wooden skewer had been used. In all 3 situations, it would likely have reduced the severity and might have sped recovery if taken as directed during the outbreaks.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Allergies” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.