Why geographic tongue

New York, N. Accessed Jan. Mangold AR, et al. Diseases of the tongue. Clinics in Dermatology. Rochester, Minn. Goldstein BG, et al. Oral lesions. The American Academy of Oral Medicine. Picciani BL, et al. Geographic tongue and psoriasis: Clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic correlation — A literature review. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. Salinas TJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Related Geographic tongue.

Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. This can make a mother vitamin deficient, and she may experience symptoms like a geographic tongue. If you notice unusual lesions on your tongue and you begin experiencing breathing problems, difficulty speaking, or an inability to swallow or chew, seek emergency medical attention.

You may be experiencing a more serious condition that is not geographic tongue. If you notice the telltale signs of the condition or begin developing irritation or pain, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Most cases of geographic tongue will go away without treatment in a few days. Symptoms may appear for a few days and then disappear for several months. Likewise, the map-like appearance may be present for several months and then disappear for years. A geographic tongue is not a sign of a more serious condition, so you do not have to worry about it developing into something else.

Geographic tongue is very distinct, so your doctor may only need to see your tongue to make a diagnosis. Still, your doctor may decide to rule out other possible conditions to make sure the lesions are not the result of another disease or problem.

To do this, your doctor may use blood tests to look for markers of inflammation, infection, or nutritional deficiencies. They may also use a lighted instrument to inspect the mouth, throat, and tongue for signs of other conditions. Rarely, a biopsy of skin may be necessary if the condition does not resolve in a few weeks.

Geographic tongue does not have a treatment or cure. Most lesions and symptoms will disappear in a few days or weeks. Still, some treatments may help reduce symptoms:. A healthy tongue will have a bright pink color and a smooth texture. A green tongue can be a sign of several serious medical conditions.

A healthy tongue is usually pink in appearance, with small, painless nodules. If your tongue is red, yellow, or white, you likely need to address a…. Fissured tongue is a benign condition that affects the surface of the tongue.

Learn about causes and related conditions. Also see pictures. Macroglossia is usually caused by an underlying condition, or it could be present at birth without an underlying cause.

It should be treated by a…. People who have tongue-tie into adulthood usually adapt to the condition by using their tongue atypically, but this can cause side effects In the long…. Tongue sucking is typically a habit, but can also be due to a medical condition. Taste buds can change for a variety of reasons, including something as simple as the common cold. Geographic tongue — codes and concepts open.

Benign migratory glossitis, Oral erythema migrans, Psoriasiform mucositis, Lingual erythema migrans, Geographical tongue, Glossitis areata exfoliativa, Glossitis areata migrans, Lingual geographica. Age site specific. References Scully C. Oral medicine and maxillofacial pathology. Churchill Livingstone ISBN Benign migratory glossitis or geographic tongue: An enigmatic oral lesion. Am J Med ;—5. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a population in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

J Oral Pathol Med ;—5. Geographic tongue: Clinical characteristics of cases. J Contemp Dent Pract ;— Geographic tongue treated with topical tacrolimus. J Dermatol Case Rep. Migratory stomatitis ectopic geographic tongue on the floor of the mouth. J Am Acad Dermatol.