PATIENT INFORMATION Geographic

Normal part of tongue

Red ‘raw’ area Raised border

What is geographic tongue? normal. The process moves around to other What are the risks and outlook? Geographic tongue is a non-serious inflam- parts of the tongue with a major change There are no risks associated with this matory condition in which a changing pat- occurring every three weeks. problem, hence the term “benign”. It is harm- tern of smooth red patches, with a raised The process may then subside and go into less and there have been no reported serious margin that can be white, yellow or grey, remission that may be complete or partial. consequences. appear on the tongue. However, it may return at a later time. The outlook is excellent. It is a self-limiting The pattern resembles a relief map with condition and usually settles after about six mountain ridges, hence the term “geo- What is the cause? weeks. However, it may flare up again later. graphic”. The cause has not been clearly identified. The condition has many medical names, It is considered to be an allergic or hyper- What is the treatment for geographic being known as migrans (“ery- sensitivity reaction to certain factors to tongue? thema” = red, “migrans” because it migrates which the tongue is exposed. This could be a There is no specific treatment, drug or or moves around), “benign migratory glossi- germ that usually lives in the mouth or a process that makes it disappear. tis” or “benign inflammatory ”. foodstuff. People can be reassured not to be con- “Glossitis” means inflammation of the This reaction causes excessive shedding of cerned about it. If they are unaware of it and tongue. cells on the surface of the tongue. it causes no symptoms then no applications are recommended. However, it is advisable to What are the symptoms and signs? What aggravates geographic tongue? avoid spicy foods and practise good oral There are usually no symptoms — it is not As a rule most people find no aggravating hygiene, including cessation of smoking if it painful or itchy, nor does it taste bad. How- factors but some find that one or more of the aggravates the condition. ever, some people can experience tenderness following can aggravate it: People subject to considerable stress or or stinging, especially with certain foods (usu- ● Spicy foods. anxiety should seek help to reduce the impact ally spicy foods). ● Stress. of these lifestyle factors. The main complaint from people is the ● Tobacco. unusual appearance of the tongue — which ● Marijuana. For a tender tongue continually changes. The area of the tongue Use Cepacaine gargles, 10mL three or four affected is the top surface and the edges. Who gets geographic tongue? times a day for about 3-5 minutes and spit out. Anyone can get it and it does not seem to What happens in geographic tongue? run in families. It affects 1-2% of the popula- For a persistent and troublesome tongue Red patches develop and then over a few tion so that adds up to many thousands of Use a low-dose steroid spray as used to days coalesce to form rather large areas of people. treat asthma, for example, beclomethasone raw-looking patches. 50µg. Spray on three times a day, try to leave The papillae on the tongue surface rapidly What tests need to be done? it on the tongue for a couple of minutes. regrow and the affected area returns to No tests are necessary. Don’t rinse out the mouth.

AUTHOR: PROFESSOR JOHN MURTAGH

Copyright of Professor John Murtagh and Australian Doctor. This patient handout may be photocopied by a doctor free of charge for patient information purposes.