Allergic Contact Stomatitis due to Consumption of Cinnamon Sticks

Abstract

Introduction: Contact stomatitis is an intraoral reaction that can be caused by a wide variety of agents. Cinnamon as a triggering factor is infrequent due to its low consumption. However, it can be found in chewing gums, mouthwashes, and toothpaste making such products the most associated with this diagnosis. Objective: To report a case of allergic contact stomatitis associated with the consumption of cinnamon sticks. Case presentation: A 20-year-old female patient with an uneventful medical history referred to burning pain and the presence of spots in the oral mucosa of more than 3 months of evolution. She also reported an intermittent burning and itching sensation, for no apparent reason. After a thorough anamnesis, the patient reported that some years ago she had started chewing cinnamon sticks as a habit. The patient also related that she used to maintain the cinnamon in the vestibules, and after a while, she began to feel an uncomfortable sensation in the mucosa. She was advised to suspend this habit, and in the subsequent controls, the disappearance of the signs and symptoms was evidenced. Conclusions: A meticulous anamnesis together with a physical examination is important to establish a correct diagnosis and an adequate clinical management of allergic contact stomatitis associated with cinnamon consumption.