Are you experiencing dry mouth and peeling, especially when you have a cold or flu?
Dry mouth is actually quite common with rheumatoid arthritis. It can feel sticky, make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, or even cause a burning sensation. Some myRAteam members describe it as feeling like their mouth is so dry Show Full Answer
Are you experiencing dry mouth and peeling, especially when you have a cold or flu?
Dry mouth is actually quite common with rheumatoid arthritis. It can feel sticky, make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, or even cause a burning sensation. Some myRAteam members describe it as feeling like their mouth is so dry it makes them gag.
There are a few possible reasons for this:
RA Medications
Many arthritis medications can affect your salivary glands and cause dry mouth, including:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Leflunomide (Arava)
- Etanercept (Enbrel)
- Adalimumab (Humira)
Sjögren's Syndrome
About 10-15% of people with RA also develop Sjögren's syndrome, which causes your body to attack moisture-producing tissues. This leads to dry mouth and dry eyes as the main symptoms.
When you're sick with a cold or flu, your body is already dealing with inflammation and dehydration, which could make existing dry mouth worse and lead to the peeling you're experiencing. Here are some ways to help manage dry mouth:
- Sip water throughout the day and keep a glass by your bed
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy
- Use lip balm to protect your lips
- Run a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can worsen dryness
- Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes (lozenges, sprays, or gels)
A myRAteam member shared: "My RA doctor gave me a prescription for my dry mouth. It works, plus I chew gum and suck on sugar-free throat lozenges."
It's important to talk to your doctor about this, especially since it worsens when you're sick. They can determine if it's medication-related, Sjögren's syndrome, or another cause, and prescribe treatments like special mouth rinses or medications to stimulate saliva production.
January 12
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