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Geographic tongue


I've got red blotches on my tongue.

What could be causing it?


There are useful signs to be observed in the mouth, and sometimes these will give a clue to achieving a diagnosis.

The tongue is a sensitive muscular organ with row of papillae and taste buds. It's estimated that around 5 per cent of the normal population have a small crack, or fissure of the tongue, that causes them no problems at all.

Infections can alter the appearance, as can fever and dehydration, to produce a 'hairy' tongue. This happens when the papillae become thickened, appearing brown, but returning to normal after a period of time.

In other circumstances, the colour of the tongue, or its texture, can change in the presence of disease that's associated with anaemia, yellow jaundice and infection, to name but a few.

Red patches on the tongue could represent a 'geographic' tongue that can occur intermittently for a number of years in around 2 per cent of the population.

Geographic tongue is harmless. It happens when there's a loss of tongue papillae, the tiny hair like projections on the surface of the tongue, making irregular flat patches on the tongue's surface.

The cause is unknown, although there has been suggestions that geographic tongue is heredity and could be a result of stress, a vitamin deficiency or an allergy.

Other possible causes include irritation of the tongue from irritants such as tobacco, alcohol or spicy foods.

It's clear from the variety of suggested causes that no one really knows.

The individual patches can last a variable length of time, sometimes longer than a month.

Irritation and soreness can accompany the condition.

If you're prone to this condition, it's wise to be cautious with the possible causes of irritation I've mentioned.

Unfortunately, just as there's no known cause, there's no simple cure.

If you enjoy good health, good oral and dental hygiene, it's most unlikely there's anything seriously wrong.

But it would be advisable to speak to your doctor to distinguish this condition from other similar conditions of the tongue that can have more sinister causes.

Medical advice should also be sought if the condition becomes severe causing the tongue to swell.

Yours sincerely

The NetDoctor Medical Team

Last updated 12.01.2009