When the typical symptoms of geographic tongue occur elsewhere in the mouth, it’s called:
- erythema areata migrans
- erythema migrans
- geographic stomatitis
Read on to find out more about the symptoms of geographic tongue and what it looks like. This article also discusses causes and risk factors, treatments, when to contact a doctor, and more.
View the slideshow below for photos of geographic tongue.
Symptoms of geographic tongue include:
- irregularly shaped patches
- redness or discoloration
- smooth patches instead of typical tongue bumps
- “map-like” pattern
- swollen patches with white lines
Some people may also experience tongue irritation or a burning sensation. This may be more prominent when eating acidic or spicy foods. Learn about other causes of a sore tongue.
Geographic tongue symptoms may appear suddenly. They may last for months or come and go.
Learn about other causes of white patches on the tongue.
Researchers do not know the exact cause of geographic tongue.
However, certain factors may increase your risk of developing a geographic tongue. These include:
- family history of geographic tongue
- personal history of fissured tongue
- personal history of psoriasis
Certain conditions can also occur alongside geographic tongue. These include:
- allergies
- emotional stress
- juvenile diabetes
- Reiter’s syndrome, or reactive arthritis
- hormonal disturbances
More research is necessary into the relationship between these conditions and geographic tongue.
You may not require treatment for geographic tongue if it doesn’t cause any bothersome symptoms.
If you do experience symptoms, your doctor may recommend:
- topical corticosteroids
- antihistamines
- topical tacrolimus (Protopic), an immunosuppressant
- analgesics, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- topical anesthetics, such as benzocaine (Orajel)
- vitamin A supplements
- zinc supplements
Your doctor may also recommend avoiding foods and drinks that may trigger your symptoms. This can include hot, spicy, and acidic foods.
Contact your doctor or dentist as soon as you experience any oral symptoms. They can examine your tongue and mouth and recommend ways to reduce your symptoms.
Regular dental checkups can also help ensure that your dentist can identify any changes in your oral health.
To help them reach an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may carry out a physical examination and ask about your full medical history.
They may be able to diagnose geographic tongue based only on the physical appearance of your tongue and the symptoms you experience. In rare cases, they may perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Around 1–3% of adults worldwide will experience geographic tongue. The condition occurs less frequently among children.
People assigned female at birth are twice as likely to develop geographic tongue than people assigned male at birth.
Geographic tongue is not associated with any specific complications.
Geographic tongue is an inflammatory condition characterized by irregularly shaped patches in a “map-like” pattern. Symptoms may worsen after eating or drinking anything spicy or acidic.
Treatments for geographic tongue include corticosteroids, antihistamines, topical tacrolimus (Protopic), and topical anesthetics (Orajel). You may not require any treatment if the condition is painless.
Contact your doctor if you have concerns about geographic tongue. They can perform an examination, order any necessary tests to confirm the diagnosis, and recommend treatments.
