Geographic Tongue
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Frequently Asked Questions
Geographic tongue is an inflammatory disorder that affects the tongue’s surfaces. Although it may appear concerning, it is mostly harmless and has no connection to an infection or cancer. On the tongue, it frequently vanishes and then reappears at different locations.
Common symptoms include
- Red, smooth patches.
- Irregularly shaped patches.
- With white or grey borders.
- Burning sensation or pain.
- Lymph node swelling.
Researchers and doctors are still determining what produces geographic tongue. However, they claim that some situations, such as the ones listed below, increase the risk of a person developing geographic tongue
- Asthma.
- Eczema.
- Psoriasis.
- Lichen planus.
- Type 1 diabetes.
- Reactive arthritis.
- Allergies to food, other materials, or drugs.
However, the symptoms of the geographic tongue can be managed with the help of the following drugs:
- Painkillers like acetaminophen.
- Topical corticosteroids in the form of ointments and mouth rinses.
- Antihistamines to relieve any allergic reactions.
- Vitamin treatment with vitamins A, B6, and B12.
- Zinc supplements.
- Topical tacrolimus.
The geographic tongue doesn’t increase the possibility of severe health issues or cause long-term difficulties.
A few complications from the condition may include:
- Embarrassment-related anxiety is quite common.
- The biggest worry for a person can be how their tongue looks.
- They could not eat or drink their preferred foods due to a burning feeling.
- It may recur multiple times with a period of disappearance in between.