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$Unique_ID{BRK04274}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Tongue, Geographic}
$Subject{Tongue Geographic BMG Benign Migratory Glossitis Glossitis Areata
Migrans Wandering Rash Tongue }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1988, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
332:
Tongue, Geographic
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Geographic Tongue) is not
the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
BMG
Benign Migratory Glossitis
Glossitis Areata Migrans
Wandering Rash Tongue
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Geographic Tongue is an inflammation of the tongue (Glossitis) that may
go into remission and recur again. This form of inflammation is
characterized by irregular, migrating denuded smooth areas (excoriations) on
the tongue which may feel slightly sore and sometimes itchy.
Symptoms
Geographic Tongue is an inflammation of the tongue characterized by
irregularly shaped denuded smooth areas which are sometimes slightly sore and
itchy. These areas usually occur on the margins and the tip of the tongue,
and may appear in bow-shaped lines on the surface. The lesions sometimes
advance forward while healing occurs toward the back of the tongue. This
change in location also causes a change in configuration. The coalescence of
the lesions into figures which look like a map has given this disorder the
name of Geographic Tongue.
Causes
The exact cause of Geographic Tongue is unknown. Some scientists suspect
that it may be caused by changes in the bacteria which are normally present
in the mouth (oral flora).
There are many other possible causes of Geographic Tongue.
Local causes may include the following:
1. Infectious bacteria and viruses
2. Lesions from mechanical injury such as jagged teeth, ill-fitting
dentures, poor oral habits, or repeated biting of the tongue during
convulsive seizures
3. Substances such as alcohol in excessive amounts, tobacco, and hot or
spicy foods in excessive amounts
4. The tongue may become oversensitized to toothpaste, mouthwashes,
breath fresheners, candy dyes, and, rarely, plastic dentures or materials
used in restoring teeth.
Systemic causes may include:
1. Lack of vitamins (avitaminosis) particularly of the Vitamin B group
2. Other illnesses or conditions such as pellagra, pernicious anemia,
iron deficiency anemia, certain generalized skin diseases such as lichen
planus, erythema multiforme, aphthous lesions, Behcet's syndrome, pemphigus
vulgaris, or syphilis may cause Geographic Tongue.
For more information on the above disorders, choose the following words
as your search terms in the Rare Disease Database: anemia, skin, lichen
planus, erythema multiform, lesions, Behcet, pemphigus, and syphilis.
Affected Population
Onset of Geographic Tongue usually occurs in childhood. The disorder affects
both males and females and may appear at any age.
Related Disorders
Persons with Anemia or Pellagra may also have a tongue with denuded smooth
areas. Lesions are moderately painful.
In Moeller's Glossitis, the tongue is slick, glossy, or glazed. The
lesions are very distressing and persistent.
Median Rhomboid Glossitis is a developmental lesion of the tongue. This
lesion consists of a smooth, reddish, nodular area on the back portion of the
middle third of the tongue.
Hairy Tongue is characterized by yellowish, brownish, blackish or bluish
discoloration of the tongue, usually caused by the absence of normal bacteria
in the mouth. Excessive growth of the threadlike elevations (filiform
papillae) in front of the taste buds also occurs.
Severe Acute Glossitis can occasionally be caused by local infection,
burns, or injury to the tongue. This type of Glossitis may develop rapidly,
producing marked tenderness or pain with swelling. The swelling may be
sufficient to cause the tongue to block air passages in the most severe
cases.
Burning Tongue (and/or Mouth) Syndrome causes patients to experience a
burning sensation in the mouth and/or the tongue. There is no obvious
clinical evidence of inflammation.
Inflammation of the tongue may also occur in association with Candidiasis
(Thrush), anemias, Diabetes Mellitus, latent nutritional deficiencies, or
malignancies.
For more information on the above disorders, choose the following words
as your search terms in the Rare Disease Database: tongue, Hairy Tongue,
Burning Mouth, Candidiasis, anemia, and Diabetes Mellitus.
Therapies: Standard
It is generally recommended that people with Geographic Tongue avoid
irritants and substances which may sensitize the tongue. A bland or liquid
diet, preferably cooled, is best. Meticulous oral hygiene is imperative, but
care should be taken to preserve proper bacterial balance within the mouth.
Local application of triamcinolone acetonide in emollient dental paste to
specific lesions may relieve symptoms and promote healing.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1988. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Geographic Tongue, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
NIH/National Institute of Dental Research
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301)496-4261
Clinical Smell and Taste Research Center
University of Pennsylvania Hospital
3400 Spruce Street, G1
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 662-2653
Department of Oral Biology
Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center
Farmington, CT 06032
(203) 674-2459
References
MERCK MANUAL OF DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY: Robert Berkow, et al., eds; Merck,
Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, 1982. P. 2094.