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<p><strong>Geographic tongue</strong> is also known as <strong>benign migratory <font color="#0066cc">glossitis</font></strong>, <strong><font color="#0066cc">erythema migrans</font></strong>, or <strong>continental tongue</strong>. The <font color="#0066cc">colloquial</font> names are due to the condition resembling a <font color="#0066cc">map</font>.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Symptoms</span></h2>
<p>The top side of the tongue is covered in small protrusions called <font color="#0066cc">papillae</font>. In a tongue affected by geographic tongue, there are red patches on the surface of the tongue bordered by grayish white. The papillae are missing from the reddish areas and overcrowded in the grayish white borders. The small patches may disappear and reappear in a short period of time (hours or days), and change in shape or size. While it is not common for the condition to cause pain, it may cause a burning or stinging sensation, especially after contact with certain foods. Foods that sometimes cause irritation, burning or slight swelling of the tongue include tomato, eggplant, walnuts, sharp cheeses, spicy foods, sour foods, candy and <font color="#0066cc">citrus</font>. Geographic tongue may also cause numbness. Coexistence of fissures of the tongue is often noticed. Chemicals, such as mouth washes and teeth whiteners, can also aggravate the condition.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Histopathology</span></h2>
<div class="thumb tright">
<div class="thumbinner" style="WIDTH: 182px"><img class="thumbimage" height="135" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Geographic_Tongue.jpg/180px-Geographic_Tongue.jpg" width="180" border="0" />
<div class="thumbcaption">
<div class="magnify"><img height="11" alt="" src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" width="15" /></div>
Another example of geographic tongue, showing strong color contrast between the red and white areas.</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Irregular areas of <font color="#0066cc">dekeratinized</font> and desquamated filiform papillae (red in color) are surrounded by elevated whitish or yellow margins due to acantholysis and hyperkeratosis. Neutrophils migrate into the epithelial layer, creating what are termed <font color="#0066cc">Munro's abscesses</font>.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Cause</span></h2>
<p>Its cause is uncertain, though tends to run in families and is associated with several different <font color="#0066cc">genes</font>. Geographic tongue is more commonly found in people who are affected by environmental sensitivity, such as <font color="#0066cc">allergies</font>, <font color="#0066cc">eczema</font>, and <font color="#0066cc">asthma</font>. Some think that it may be linked to stress or diets high in sugar or processed foods.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since December 2007" style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap">[<em><font color="#0066cc">citation needed</font></em>]</span></sup> Its prevalence also varies by ethnicity (0.6% of Americans, 4% of young Iraqis, 2% of young Finns) and gender (females affected 3 times more than males). Causes vary, but may include vitamin deficiencies, allergies, and hormonal changes. Geographic tongue is said to occur more often in women, especially during high hormonal times such as during ovulation or <font color="#0066cc">pregnancy</font>, and while taking birth control<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><font color="#0066cc"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></font></sup>.</p>
<p>Studies show that there is a link between geographic tongue and <font color="#0066cc">psoriasis</font>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><font color="#0066cc"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></font></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"><font color="#0066cc"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></font></sup></p>
<p><font color="#0066cc"></font></p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Treatment</span></h2>
<p>While there is no known cure or commonly prescribed treatment for geographic tongue, there are several ways to suppress the condition, including avoiding foods which exacerbate the problem. Some individuals report relief from chewing mint leaves, or even sucking on a mint candy or gum, during a flare up. Some people in the UK who have sensitivity to certain fruits e.g. strawberries, tomatoes, pineapple etc. have been prescribed Zinc supplements by health professionals which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the incidence of the condition. Some people affected by geographic tongue also report that taking <font color="#0066cc">Vitamin B</font> supplements causes the condition to go away temporarily. Some groups mention using anti-inflammatory steroids applied topically clears the patches. Burning may also be reduced by taking antihistamines. The condition is usually asymptomatic and insignificant; persisting pain is rare.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">References</span></h2>
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references">
<li id="cite_note-0"><strong><font color="#0066cc">^</font></strong> <font color="#0066cc">http://www.geographictongue.org/</font> </li>
<li id="cite_note-1"><strong><font color="#0066cc">^</font></strong> <font color="#0066cc">Geographic tongue (migrant glossitis) and psoriasis.</font> </li>
<li id="cite_note-2"><strong><font color="#0066cc">^</font></strong> <font color="#0066cc">Migratory Glossitis (Geographic Tongue)</font>. </li>
</ol>
</div>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">External links</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://www.drgreene.com/21_784.html" href="http://www.drgreene.com/21_784.html" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Dr Greene</font></a> </li>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/BondBook/mucosa/geogtongue.html" href="http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/BondBook/mucosa/geogtongue.html" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Maxillofacial center</font></a> </li>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/geographic-tongue/DS00819" href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/geographic-tongue/DS00819" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Notes etymology</font></a> </li>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Disease.aspx?PageID=4&diseaseID=6493" href="http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Disease.aspx?PageID=4&diseaseID=6493" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Geographic tongue</font></a> at <a title="National Institutes of Health" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institutes_of_Health"><font color="#0066cc">NIH</font></a>'s Office of <a title="Rare disease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_disease"><font color="#0066cc">Rare Diseases</font></a> </li>
</ul>
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if (window.showTocToggle) { var tocShowText = "show"; var tocHideText = "hide"; showTocToggle(); }
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</script>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Symptoms</span></h2>
<p>The top side of the tongue is covered in small protrusions called <font color="#0066cc">papillae</font>. In a tongue affected by geographic tongue, there are red patches on the surface of the tongue bordered by grayish white. The papillae are missing from the reddish areas and overcrowded in the grayish white borders. The small patches may disappear and reappear in a short period of time (hours or days), and change in shape or size. While it is not common for the condition to cause pain, it may cause a burning or stinging sensation, especially after contact with certain foods. Foods that sometimes cause irritation, burning or slight swelling of the tongue include tomato, eggplant, walnuts, sharp cheeses, spicy foods, sour foods, candy and <font color="#0066cc">citrus</font>. Geographic tongue may also cause numbness. Coexistence of fissures of the tongue is often noticed. Chemicals, such as mouth washes and teeth whiteners, can also aggravate the condition.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Histopathology</span></h2>
<div class="thumb tright">
<div class="thumbinner" style="WIDTH: 182px"><img class="thumbimage" height="135" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Geographic_Tongue.jpg/180px-Geographic_Tongue.jpg" width="180" border="0" />
<div class="thumbcaption">
<div class="magnify"><img height="11" alt="" src="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" width="15" /></div>
Another example of geographic tongue, showing strong color contrast between the red and white areas.</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Irregular areas of <font color="#0066cc">dekeratinized</font> and desquamated filiform papillae (red in color) are surrounded by elevated whitish or yellow margins due to acantholysis and hyperkeratosis. Neutrophils migrate into the epithelial layer, creating what are termed <font color="#0066cc">Munro's abscesses</font>.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Cause</span></h2>
<p>Its cause is uncertain, though tends to run in families and is associated with several different <font color="#0066cc">genes</font>. Geographic tongue is more commonly found in people who are affected by environmental sensitivity, such as <font color="#0066cc">allergies</font>, <font color="#0066cc">eczema</font>, and <font color="#0066cc">asthma</font>. Some think that it may be linked to stress or diets high in sugar or processed foods.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since December 2007" style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap">[<em><font color="#0066cc">citation needed</font></em>]</span></sup> Its prevalence also varies by ethnicity (0.6% of Americans, 4% of young Iraqis, 2% of young Finns) and gender (females affected 3 times more than males). Causes vary, but may include vitamin deficiencies, allergies, and hormonal changes. Geographic tongue is said to occur more often in women, especially during high hormonal times such as during ovulation or <font color="#0066cc">pregnancy</font>, and while taking birth control<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><font color="#0066cc"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></font></sup>.</p>
<p>Studies show that there is a link between geographic tongue and <font color="#0066cc">psoriasis</font>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><font color="#0066cc"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></font></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"><font color="#0066cc"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></font></sup></p>
<p><font color="#0066cc"></font></p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Treatment</span></h2>
<p>While there is no known cure or commonly prescribed treatment for geographic tongue, there are several ways to suppress the condition, including avoiding foods which exacerbate the problem. Some individuals report relief from chewing mint leaves, or even sucking on a mint candy or gum, during a flare up. Some people in the UK who have sensitivity to certain fruits e.g. strawberries, tomatoes, pineapple etc. have been prescribed Zinc supplements by health professionals which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the incidence of the condition. Some people affected by geographic tongue also report that taking <font color="#0066cc">Vitamin B</font> supplements causes the condition to go away temporarily. Some groups mention using anti-inflammatory steroids applied topically clears the patches. Burning may also be reduced by taking antihistamines. The condition is usually asymptomatic and insignificant; persisting pain is rare.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">References</span></h2>
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references">
<li id="cite_note-0"><strong><font color="#0066cc">^</font></strong> <font color="#0066cc">http://www.geographictongue.org/</font> </li>
<li id="cite_note-1"><strong><font color="#0066cc">^</font></strong> <font color="#0066cc">Geographic tongue (migrant glossitis) and psoriasis.</font> </li>
<li id="cite_note-2"><strong><font color="#0066cc">^</font></strong> <font color="#0066cc">Migratory Glossitis (Geographic Tongue)</font>. </li>
</ol>
</div>
<p> </p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline">External links</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://www.drgreene.com/21_784.html" href="http://www.drgreene.com/21_784.html" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Dr Greene</font></a> </li>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/BondBook/mucosa/geogtongue.html" href="http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/BondBook/mucosa/geogtongue.html" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Maxillofacial center</font></a> </li>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/geographic-tongue/DS00819" href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/geographic-tongue/DS00819" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Notes etymology</font></a> </li>
<li><a class="external text" title="http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Disease.aspx?PageID=4&diseaseID=6493" href="http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Disease.aspx?PageID=4&diseaseID=6493" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0066cc">Geographic tongue</font></a> at <a title="National Institutes of Health" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institutes_of_Health"><font color="#0066cc">NIH</font></a>'s Office of <a title="Rare disease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_disease"><font color="#0066cc">Rare Diseases</font></a> </li>
</ul>
