A Rare Case of Allergic Stomatitis Due to the Consumption of Boiled Cassava

Introduction: Allergic stomatitis is an oral inflammatory disorder characterized by a painful, burning sensation, or itchiness in the oral cavity which clinically appears as erythematous plaques, vesiculation, ulceration, and/or hyperkeratosis. The causative agents include drugs, dental materials, and food ingredients. Allergic stomatitis might develop after a person eats, touches, or inhales food allergen which then triggers the hypersensitivity reaction. The most common types of food hypersensitivity generally involve type 1 and type 4 reactions or a combination of both.
Purpose: This case report aims to discuss a case of allergic stomatitis caused by one of the staple food ingredients in Indonesia: cassava.
Case: A 26-year-old woman came with complaints of burning pain from multiple ulcers on her right inner cheek. The ulcers appeared shortly after the patient ate boiled cassava, extending to the soft palate and causing pain when swallowing food. The patient has a history of asthma.
Case Management: The patient was referred for a total IgE examination with a result of 271.41 KIU/L (normal < 150 KIU/L). She was prescribed an antiseptic mouthwash and topical corticosteroids for palliative therapy. Additionally, multivitamins were also prescribed to speed up the healing process.
Conclusion: Allergic stomatitis can be caused by food ingredients, even those considered healthy or non-allergenic. A complete anamnesis, including the patient’s food history, along with supporting examinations, must be carried out to confirm the diagnosis and select appropriate therapy.

Keywords: allergies, allergic stomatitis, hypersensitivity, cassava