Geographic Tongue

Symptoms

Signs of geographic tongue can include the following:

• Smooth, red, irregular patches appearing on the upper surface or sides of the tongue, which may resemble sores.
• Recurrent changes in the size, shape, and location of the patches.
• Pain or a burning sensation in some cases, often associated with eating acidic or spicy foods.

Most individuals with geographic tongue do not show any symptoms.

Geographic tongue may persist for days, months, or even years. Although the condition usually resolves on its own, it may reappear later.

Causes

The precise cause of geographic tongue is unknown, and there is no known way to prevent it. There may be a connection between geographic tongue and other conditions, such as psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with scaly, itchy patches. More research is needed to explore the potential link to other medical conditions.

Risk Factors

Some factors that could increase your susceptibility to geographic tongue include:

• Family history: Genetic factors may increase the risk of geographic tongue in individuals with a family history of the condition.
• Fissured tongue: People with geographic tongue often have a condition known as fissured tongue, where deep grooves, known as fissures, develop on the tongue's surface.

Complications

While geographic tongue is generally harmless, it can occasionally cause discomfort. The condition does not pose any significant health risks, lead to long-term complications, or increase the likelihood of major medical problems.

However, geographic tongue can cause anxiety due to the appearance of the tongue, especially if the patches are highly visible. It can also be difficult to accept that the condition is not serious.

Diagnosis

Your dentist can typically identify the geographic tongue through an examination of the tongue and a review of symptoms.

While conducting the exam, your healthcare provider may:

• Check your mouth and tongue using lighted equipment.
• Tell you to shift your tongue in different directions.
• Gently and carefully touch your tongue to feel for tenderness or strange variations in texture.
• Look for infection-related signs, including fever or enlarged neck lymph nodes.

Certain geographic tongue signs resemble those of other illnesses, like oral lichen planus, which can appear as lacy whitish spots in the mouth and sometimes cause painful lesions. As a result, your doctor may need to rule out other diseases before confirming a diagnosis.

Treatment

In most cases, geographic tongue does not require medical treatment. Although the condition can occasionally cause discomfort, it is generally considered benign.

To manage sensitivity and pain, your medical provider may suggest various treatments, including:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Oral numbing rinses for the affected part
• Antihistamine mouth rinses to help reduce inflammation
• Corticosteroid ointments or rinses to treat immune system-related disorders or those causing swelling like lichen planus
• Zinc and vitamin B supplements
• Drugs to treat fungal infections

Due to the limited research on these treatments, their effectiveness is not well understood. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether these treatments effectively alleviate symptoms, as geographic tongue often resolves on its own.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Most individuals with geographic tongue are asymptomatic. However, if you develop symptoms, you can ease discomfort by avoiding or restricting substances frequently irritating sensitive oral tissue. These comprise acidic orspicy foods and drinks, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products.

A Note from MD.Co.Uk

Geographic tongue is a benign condition that causes smooth, reddish patches to form on the surface of the tongue. It is noncancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body. Some individuals develop geographic tongue without experiencing any noticeable symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include patches on the tongue with burning or tingling sensations, especially when eating spicy or acidic foods. If you notice any changes in your tongue, consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause.