MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Geographic tongue

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Geographic tongue

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms	Signs and tests Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Tongue

Alternative names Return to top

Patches on the tongue; Tongue - patchy; Benign migratory glossitis

Definition Return to top

Geographic tongue describes a map-like appearance of your tongue. This results from irregular, denuded patches on its surface.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

The specific cause of geographic tongue is unknown, although allergies may be involved. Other causes may include irritation from hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or tobacco.

The pattern on the surface of your tongue may change very rapidly. The pattern results from the loss of papillae (tiny finger-like projections on the surface of the tongue). This gives areas of the tongue flat spots, and thus a geographic appearance. These areas of papillae loss are said to be "denuded." Denuded areas may persist for more than a month.

Symptoms Return to top

a map-like appearance to the surface of the tongue
smooth, beefy red patches and lesions on the tongue
patches that change location from day to day
soreness and burning pain (in some cases)

Signs and tests Return to top

Your doctor will usually diagnose this condition based on an examination of your tongue. Tests are usually not necessary.

Treatment Return to top

There is no treatment.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Geographic tongue is a harmless condition, but it can be persistent and uncomfortable.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call for an appointment with your doctor if the symptoms last longer than 10 days.

Call the local emergency number (such as 911) if:

someone's tongue is severely swollen
someone is having trouble breathing, speaking, chewing, or swallowing

Prevention Return to top

Avoid irritating your tongue with hot or spicy food, alcohol, or tobacco if you are prone to this condition.

Update Date: 7/30/2003

Updated by: Jason Newman, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Washington, DC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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