What does a geographic tongue look like?

The tongue is normally covered with tiny, pinkish-white bumps (papillae), which are actually short, fine, hairlike 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.

Is geographic tongue a fungal infection?

The prevalence of fungi is greatest in patients with geographic tongue, especially those who do not brush the surface of the tongue.

Is geographic tongue precancerous?

Geographic tongue is not related to oral cancers and is not a premalignant condition.

Why did I randomly get geographic tongue?

A: The cause of geographic tongue is unknown. Several factors have been proposed as possible causes such as emotional stress, psychological factors, habits, allergies, diabetes and hormonal disturbances. However, none of these factors have been conclusively linked to geographic tongue.

How do you get rid of geographic tongue fast?

Geographic tongue typically doesn’t require any medical treatment….To manage discomfort or sensitivity, your doctor may recommend medications such as:

1. Over-the-counter pain relievers.
2. Mouth rinses with an anesthetic.
3. Antihistamine mouth rinses.
4. Corticosteroid ointments or rinses.
5. Vitamin B supplementation, in some cases.

Is salt water good for geographic tongue?

Weak warm salt water rinses can be soothing. Some studies show that taking a B-complex and/or zinc supplement may be beneficial. Most cases of geographic tongue show no symptoms at all.

What is Atlas 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.

What does a geographic tongue lesion look like?

A lesion of geographic tongue may start as a white patch before the depapillation occurs. In certain cases there may be only one lesion, but this is uncommon; the lesions will typically occur in multiple locations on the tongue and coalesce over time to form the typical map-like appearance.

What is wandering rash of the tongue?

This condition is also termed glossitis migrans, benign migratory glossitis, erythema migrans or ‘wandering rash of the tongue’. It presents as areas of depapillation and erythema with a heaped ‘serpentine-like’, keratinized margin on the lateral margins and dorsal surface of the tongue.

What is the prevalence of geography tongue?

Geographic tongue is seen in approximately 2% of the U.S. population and affects women slightly more often than men (Box 3-11 ). It is more prevalent in the young, in nonsmokers, and in allergic or atopic individuals. Children between infancy and 10 years of age may be affected in up to 18% of cases.

What is a geographic tongue in dentistry?

Geographic tongue refers to the benign condition in which denudations of the filiform papillae on the lingual surface occur, giving the tongue the appearance of a relief map. Clinical photograph of a geographic tongue shows well-demarcated erythematous areas surrounded by a yellow-white border .