Geographic tongue is a harmless condition affecting the surface of
your tongue. The tongue is normally covered with tiny, pinkish-white
bumps (papillae), which are actually short, fine, hair-like projections.
With geographic tongue, patches on the surface of the tongue are
missing papillae and appear as smooth, red “islands,” often with
slightly raised borders.
These patches (lesions) give the tongue a map-like, or geographic,
appearance. The lesions often heal in one area and then move (migrate)
to a different part of your tongue. Geographic tongue is also known as
benign migratory glossitis.
Although geographic tongue may look alarming, it doesn’t cause health problems and isn’t associated with infection or cancer. Geographic tongue can sometimes cause tongue discomfort and increased sensitivity to certain substances.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of geographic tongue may include:
Smooth, red, irregularly shaped patches (lesions) on the top or side of your tongue
Frequent changes in the location, size and shape of lesions
Discomfort, pain or burning sensation in some cases, most often related to eating hot, spicy, salty or acidic foods
Many people with geographic tongue have no symptoms.
Geographic tongue can persist for months or years. The problem often resolves on its own but may appear again at a later time.
When to see a doctor
Geographic tongue is a minor — although sometimes uncomfortable — condition. However, lesions on the tongue may indicate other more serious conditions of the tongue or diseases affecting the body in general. If you have lesions on the tongue that don’t resolve within seven to 10 days, see your doctor or dentist.
Causes
The cause of geographic tongue is unknown, and there’s no way to prevent the condition. There may be a link between geographic tongue and psoriasis — a chronic skin condition — but more research is needed to better understand the connection.
Complication
Geographic tongue is a benign condition. It doesn’t pose a threat to your health, cause long-term complications or increase your risk of major health problems.
However, anxiety about the condition is fairly common because:
The appearance of the tongue may be embarrassing, depending on how visible the lesions are
It may be difficult to be reassured that there is, in fact, nothing seriously wrong
Treatments
Geographic tongue typically doesn’t require any medical treatment. Although geographic tongue can sometimes cause tongue discomfort, it’s otherwise a harmless condition.
Your doctor may recommend medications to manage discomfort or sensitivity:
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Mouth rinses with an anesthetic
Antihistamine mouth rinses
Corticosteroid ointments or rinses
Because these treatments haven’t been studied rigorously, their benefit is uncertain. Since the condition resolves on its own and has an unpredictable course, you may not be able to tell if the symptomatic treatments are actually working.
Lifestyle
You may reduce discomfort associated with geographic tongue by avoiding or limiting substances that commonly aggravate sensitive oral tissues, including:
Hot, spicy, acidic or salty foods
Tobacco products
Toothpaste that contains tartar-control additives, heavy flavoring or whitening agents
Although geographic tongue may look alarming, it doesn’t cause health problems and isn’t associated with infection or cancer. Geographic tongue can sometimes cause tongue discomfort and increased sensitivity to certain substances.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of geographic tongue may include:
Smooth, red, irregularly shaped patches (lesions) on the top or side of your tongue
Frequent changes in the location, size and shape of lesions
Discomfort, pain or burning sensation in some cases, most often related to eating hot, spicy, salty or acidic foods
Many people with geographic tongue have no symptoms.
Geographic tongue can persist for months or years. The problem often resolves on its own but may appear again at a later time.
When to see a doctor
Geographic tongue is a minor — although sometimes uncomfortable — condition. However, lesions on the tongue may indicate other more serious conditions of the tongue or diseases affecting the body in general. If you have lesions on the tongue that don’t resolve within seven to 10 days, see your doctor or dentist.
Causes
The cause of geographic tongue is unknown, and there’s no way to prevent the condition. There may be a link between geographic tongue and psoriasis — a chronic skin condition — but more research is needed to better understand the connection.
Complication
Geographic tongue is a benign condition. It doesn’t pose a threat to your health, cause long-term complications or increase your risk of major health problems.
However, anxiety about the condition is fairly common because:
The appearance of the tongue may be embarrassing, depending on how visible the lesions are
Treatments
Geographic tongue typically doesn’t require any medical treatment. Although geographic tongue can sometimes cause tongue discomfort, it’s otherwise a harmless condition.
Your doctor may recommend medications to manage discomfort or sensitivity:
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Mouth rinses with an anesthetic
Antihistamine mouth rinses
Corticosteroid ointments or rinses
Because these treatments haven’t been studied rigorously, their benefit is uncertain. Since the condition resolves on its own and has an unpredictable course, you may not be able to tell if the symptomatic treatments are actually working.
Lifestyle
You may reduce discomfort associated with geographic tongue by avoiding or limiting substances that commonly aggravate sensitive oral tissues, including:
Hot, spicy, acidic or salty foods
Tobacco products
Toothpaste that contains tartar-control additives, heavy flavoring or whitening agents
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