There are medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, orasthma, that almost all of us have heard of. But what about those that are so rare that very few of us will know about? In this article, we will look at a strange medical condition (Geographic Tongue)
What is geographic tongue
Geographic tongue is a condition that causes a map-like pattern to appear on the tongue. People with this condition have smooth, reddish patches surrounded by white borders on their tongues. The red areas are missing the tiny bumps (papillae) that naturally appear on the surface of the tongue. Geographic tongue is benign (harmless) and does not cause any long-term health problems. It is not contagious. Most people have no symptoms,but some people feel a burning or stinging sensation on their tongue.
Who is affected by geographic tongue
Geographic tongue (also called benign migratory glossitis) is slightly more common in young adults,though doctors aren’t sure why. People who have psoriasis (a condition that causes scaly patches on the skin) and reactive
arthritis (Reiter'ssyndrome) are more likely than others to have geographic tongue. The condition appears in people of all ages, including babies and children.
arthritis (Reiter'ssyndrome) are more likely than others to have geographic tongue. The condition appears in people of all ages, including babies and children.
How common is geographic tongue
Doctors aren’t sure how many people have geographic tongue. Some doctorsestimate that about 3% of the population has the condition, but it may occur more frequently
How do people get geographic tongue
Doctors aren’t sure what causes geographic tongue, but they do know that it is not contagious. Because it often runs in families, doctors believe it may be inherited (passeddown) from parents to their children. People commonly have other conditions along with geographic tongue. These conditions and diseases include:kkk
Psoriasis: Many people with geographic tongue also have psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition
Hormonalsurges: Women who are taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) have developed geographic tongue, possibly due to the female hormones in the pills
Vitamin deficiencies: People who don’t have enough zinc, iron, folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 are more likely to have geographic tongue
Fissured tongue: Doctors think there might be a genetic link between geographic tongue and fissured tongue, a condition that causes deep grooves or wrinkles on the tongue
Diabetes: Some doctors have found that people with diabetes, especially type1 diabetes, have a higher chance of developing geographic tongue
Allergies: People with eczema, hay fever and other allergies may have an increased chance of having the condition
Emotional stress: Doctors have found a link between increased stress and geographic tongue
Vitamin deficiencies: People who don’t have enough zinc, iron, folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 are more likely to have geographic tongue
Fissured tongue: Doctors think there might be a genetic link between geographic tongue and fissured tongue, a condition that causes deep grooves or wrinkles on the tongue
Diabetes: Some doctors have found that people with diabetes, especially type1 diabetes, have a higher chance of developing geographic tongue
Allergies: People with eczema, hay fever and other allergies may have an increased chance of having the condition
Emotional stress: Doctors have found a link between increased stress and geographic tongue
What are the symptoms of geographic tongue
While many people don’t notice any symptoms at all, the most recognizable sign of geographic tongue is the appearance of the pattern on the tongue. Symptoms can come and go, and may last afew weeks or years. They include:hhhh
Red spots on the tongue: The red patches on the tongue appear in an irregular map like pattern and are often surrounded by white or gray borders. They appear any where on the top, sides and tip of the tongue. The patches may come and go, and can change size, shape and location over time
Absence ofpapillae: The insides of the red patches are noticeably smoother because they do not have any papillae. Papillae are tiny bumps that coat and protect the entire tongue and help us chew food. Some papillae also have taste buds
Burning sensation: Some people with geographic tongue feel a stinging, tingling or burning sensation on thei rtongue, especially when eating. Discomfort is usually mild and can come and go along with the red patches
Patches in other are as of the mouth: Occasionally, similar red patches can form on the gums, the top of the mouth or inside the cheeks. These patches are called geographic stomatitis or erythema migrans. The patches are not the same as the erythema migrans rash that appears in the early stages of Lyme disease. Having these patches in your mouth does not mean that you have Lyme disease
we knew what geographic tongue is and its symptoms, and we knew that it is not contagious, but some doctors think that it is hereditary. Treatment for geographic tongue usually isn’t necessary
written by/ Manar Ahmed
Red spots on the tongue: The red patches on the tongue appear in an irregular map like pattern and are often surrounded by white or gray borders. They appear any where on the top, sides and tip of the tongue. The patches may come and go, and can change size, shape and location over time
Absence ofpapillae: The insides of the red patches are noticeably smoother because they do not have any papillae. Papillae are tiny bumps that coat and protect the entire tongue and help us chew food. Some papillae also have taste buds
Burning sensation: Some people with geographic tongue feel a stinging, tingling or burning sensation on thei rtongue, especially when eating. Discomfort is usually mild and can come and go along with the red patches
Patches in other are as of the mouth: Occasionally, similar red patches can form on the gums, the top of the mouth or inside the cheeks. These patches are called geographic stomatitis or erythema migrans. The patches are not the same as the erythema migrans rash that appears in the early stages of Lyme disease. Having these patches in your mouth does not mean that you have Lyme disease
we knew what geographic tongue is and its symptoms, and we knew that it is not contagious, but some doctors think that it is hereditary. Treatment for geographic tongue usually isn’t necessary
written by/ Manar Ahmed
References
a) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323395
b) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21177-geographictongue
c) https://images.app.goo.gl/rCcfyjGp5LLpwQRn6
d) https://m.newhealthadvisor.org/Geographic-Tongue-Pictures.html
b) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21177-geographictongue
c) https://images.app.goo.gl/rCcfyjGp5LLpwQRn6
d) https://m.newhealthadvisor.org/Geographic-Tongue-Pictures.html
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