It is a harmless condition affecting the surface of your tongue. The tongue is normally covered with tiny, pinkish-white bumps (papillae), which are actually short, fine, hair-like projections.
Geographic Tongue. Geographic tongue. This is an inflammatory condition of the dorsum or top and sides of the tongue. it takes the form of denudations of the lingual surface (or loss of lingual papillae) in patches of redness that shift in position over hours and days. Geographic tongue. Geographic tongue is a harmless condition affecting the surface of your tongue. The tongue is normally covered with tiny, pinkish-white bumps (papillae), which are actually short, fine, hair-like 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. These patches (lesions) give the tongue a map-like, or geographic, appearance. Geographic Tongue. Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis) is an inflammatory disorder that usually appears on the top and sides of the tongue. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC TONGUE. The cause is unknown, but the condition is entirely benign (importantly, it does not represent oral cancer), and there is no curative treatment. Uncommonly, geographic tongue may cause a burning sensation on the tongue, for which various treatments have been described with little formal evidence of efficacy.  Symptoms of Geographic Tongue. The telltale signs of geographic tongue are irregular, smooth, red patches on parts of the tongue. These patches may: 1  Have a white or light-colored border. 2  Vary in size, shape, and color. 3  Appear one area, and then move to another area.  A: Geographic tongue usually has no symptoms. In most cases, there is no need for treatment of this condition. Occasionally geographic tongue may cause a burning or smarting sensation of the tongue. In this situation, topical anesthetics can be used for surface numbing. Anti-inflammatory drugs (cortisonelike drugs) also may be prescribed to help control discomfort. Geographic tongue (also known as benign migratory glossitis) is an inflammatory disorder that usually appears on the top and sides of the tongue. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC TONGUE. With those individuals with geographic tongue there are areas of the tongue surface that are missing papillae and instead appear as red, smooth patches sometime with borders that are slightly raised. These areas or lesions often make the tongue look like a map, or geographic appearance. These lesions usually get better in one place then migrate or move to another place on the tongue. It is known also as “benign migratory glossitis ” Geographic tongue gets its name from the upper surface and sides of the tongue looking like parts of a map. Geographic tongue is also known as benign migratory glossitis or oral erythema migrans. Picture of geographic tongue. Geographic tongue is a harmless or benign condition that usually gets better on its own after some weeks or months. It is not a sign of cancer. Geographic tongue symptoms may also affect other areas of the mouth. Affecting about 1% to 3% of people, geographic tongue can appear at any age. Geographic tongue is a common condition. It appears on the top and sides of the tongue, and sometimes on the under-surface. The tongue develops irregular, smooth, red areas, which may look like the outline of a map. There are usually wavy white lines next to the red patches. Geographic tongue is a minor — although sometimes uncomfortable — condition. However, lesions on the tongue may indicate other more serious conditions of the tongue or diseases affecting the body in general. If you have lesions on the tongue that don't resolve within seven to 10 days, see your doctor or dentist. 1 Smooth, red, irregularly shaped patches (lesions) on the top or side of your tongue. 2  Frequent changes in the location, size and shape of lesions. 3  Discomfort, pain or burning sensation in some cases, most often related to eating hot, spicy, salty or acidic foods.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-geographic-tongue http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/geographic-tongue/basics/definition/CON-20027435 http://www.aaom.com/geographic-tongue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_tongue http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/geographic-tongue http://www.aaom.com/geographic-tongue http://healthool.com/geographic-tongue/ http://www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/guide/geographic-tongue https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/mouth-conditions/geographic-tongue http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/geographic-tongue/basics/symptoms/CON-20027435
what is geographic tongue