What Parents Need to Know About 'Geographic Tongue'

It might look scary, but this condition is actually harmless to your children.

It is just like any other day and your toddler comes running to you to show that he has done a good job brushing his teeth and tongue. But suddenly you realise, Hang on, is that a shape like the continent of Africa that I see on his tongue?!?

You panic for a bit and do a quick search on the net and you find this: geographic tongue in toddlers. Then you start to worry, It looks so inflamed and red! Is it harmful and does it hurt? Let’s find out.

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Geographic Tongue in Toddlers

geographic tongue in toddlers

Nobody knows what causes geographic tongue, but we do know that it runs in the family. It may also be caused by a lack of vitamin B says Healthline, however, there is no solid proof for this.

How Common Is Geographic Tongue

How many persons have geographic tongues is unknown to doctors. About 3 per cent of people, according to some doctors, are thought to have the illness, however, it could happen more frequently.

Geographic Tongue Causes

What foods cause geographic tongue?

A benign ailment known as geographic tongue causes little, red spots on the tongue’s top and sides that resemble maps. Alcohol, spicy foods, hot foods, and hot drinks can all cause geographic tongue.

Although the actual cause of geographic tongue development is unknown, some people may be more susceptible to it than others. These individuals frequently suffer from a sickness or condition that raises their risk.

Psoriasis

A buildup of skin cells on the skin’s surface is brought on by this common skin ailment. A buildup of skin cells can result in thick, unpleasant patches that are usually irritating.

A geographic tongue is more likely to appear in psoriasis sufferers, and some specialists believe that a geographic tongue is an oral manifestation of psoriasis.

Lichen planus

Lesions and lumps on the skin’s surface or inside the mouth are brought on by this inflammatory disorder. The oral manifestation of this illness could be a geographic tongue.

What Parents Need to Know About Geographic Tongue

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Too little vitamin B can result in tongue swelling, irritation, and other symptoms. Deficits in the B vitamins, specifically B6, B12, and folate (B9), have been linked to geographic tongue.

Bald tongue patches are more common in those who are vitamin B deficient. The papillae have vanished in certain regions. Lack of vitamin B can lead to geographic tongue in some people.

Geographic tongue has also been connected to deficiencies in vitamin D, zinc, and iron.

Fissured tongue

Fissured tongue, a disorder that forms deep grooves or wrinkles on the tongue, is thought to have a hereditary relation to geographic tongue.

Diabetes

According to certain medical professionals, patients with diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, are more likely to develop geographic tongue.

Allergies

Eczema, hay fever, and other allergies may raise a person’s risk of developing the condition.

Emotional stress

Researchers have discovered a connection between geographic tongue and emotional stress.

Symptoms of Geographic Tongue

While many people experience no symptoms at all, the development of the pattern on the tongue is the most obvious indication of geographic tongue. The duration of symptoms might range from a few weeks to many years. They consist of:

Red spots on the tongue

The red dots on the tongue frequently have white or grey edges and have an irregular, map-like appearance. Over time, the patches may ebb and flow and alter in size, shape, and placement. Smooth, red patches and sores on the tongue that vary in size and colour can be found anywhere on the tongue’s tip, sides, and top.

Lack of papillae

The red patches’ interiors are significantly smoother because they lack papillae. The entire tongue is covered and protected by microscopic bumps called papillae, which also aid in food chewing. Even some papillae have taste receptors.

Burning feeling

Those who have geographic tongue may experience a burning, stinging, or tingling sensation on their tongue, especially when they are eating. Normal minor discomfort can come and go with the red areas due to soreness and burning pain (in some cases only).

Patches in other parts of the mouth

Occasionally, patches or sores that migrate daily resembling those in the mouth’s other areas—its gums, its roof, or its cheeks—will appear. Geographic stomatitis or erythema migrans are the names of these patches. The erythema migrans rash that first occurs in the early stages of Lyme disease is not the same as the patches. You do not necessarily have Lyme disease just because you have these patches in your mouth.

geographic tongue in toddlers

Your doctor or paediatrician can diagnose this condition just by looking at your toddler’s tongue, and in most cases, tests are not needed.

How Long Does Geographic Tongue Last

When does geographic tongue go away?

The presence of symptoms may last a few days before going away for several months. The map-like appearance may also last for a few months before disappearing for years.

A fissured tongue can also occur in certain people who have a geographic tongue. Together, these two circumstances happen a lot.

The surface of the tongue develops cracks and grooves as a result of fissures. These indentations can itch and even be unpleasant at times.

Doctors are unable to predict who may get the disorder later and they have no idea why some patients endure their bouts.

Geographic Tongue Treatment

No treatment is required for this condition, and there’s no need to worry as it will not affect your toddler’s sense of taste. Some may experience a burning sensation in the mouth, but this is very rare in children according to Dr Greene.

Avoid eating anything that can irritate your tongue, such as spicy food, if you have pain or discomfort. Your doctor might suggest the following to lessen the stinging or burning sensation:

Mouthwash containing antihistamine (medication to relieve allergic reaction).
Administerable topical analgesics (painkillers) that you can put on your tongue.
OTC medicines. Ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, both of which are available over-the-counter pain relievers, can be used to manage any pain or discomfort brought on by the lesions.
Prescription drugs. A corticosteroid rinse may be recommended by your doctor to assist lessen the inflammation. Additionally, a little anaesthetic mouth rinse could assist lessen discomfort and irritability.

However, if your toddler is really uncomfortable, your doctor can always prescribe an antihistamine gel or steroid mouth rinse to help ease the discomfort.

Geographic Tongue Natural Treatment

By refraining from or restricting the use of items that frequently irritate delicate oral tissues, you can ease the discomfort brought on by geographic tongue.

Keep off problematic foods. Avoid meals that cause you more irritability if possible. Foods that frequently induce rashes or a burning feeling include those that are hot or spicy, acidic, salty, and sweet.
Steer clear of flavoured toothpaste. Your tongue may become irritated by toothpaste that are strongly flavoured or have astringent cleaning agents added.

Do any foods have the ability to treat or prevent geographic tongue?

Recent research has indicated that geographic tongue may be connected to zinc insufficiency, as we have already explained. Make sure to include a sufficient quantity of zinc in your diet through foods like meat and poultry to prevent this.

The following foods contain zinc:

Beef
Pork
Chicken
Yoghurt with fruit
Beans
Nuts

Geographic Tongue Prevention

If your child is prone to this condition, avoid giving food that is hot, spicy, acidic and salty. You can also discuss with your doctor about giving your child vitamins and supplements. Switching your toddler’s toothpaste to an organic one that has no additives might help reduce irritation as well.

Geographic tongue in toddlers will go away on its own. It is benign and harmless, but it can last for months, and it often recurs. So do not worry too much, and focus on keeping irritants to a minimum.

When Do Parents Need To Call The Doctor?

What Parents Need to Know About Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue in toddlers that last more than 10 days might require medical help. Also, call your doctor if your child:

If you see strange lesions on tongue and your toddler begins experiencing breathing problems, difficulty speaking, or an inability to swallow or chew, seek emergency medical assistance. It’s possible that your child has a more serious condition than geographic tongue.

The majority of geographic tongue cases will go away on their own in a few days. While a geographic tongue can be unsettling, it does not necessarily indicate a more significant or widespread issue. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you start to experience irritation or pain or observe the condition’s telltale indicators.

Updates by Matt Doctor

Mayo Clinic, WebMD

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Written by

Rosanna Chio

Englishchild's healthnot-safegeographic tonguegeographic tongue in childrengeographic tongue in toddlersrelevancegeneral health

Psoriasis

Lichen planus

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Fissured tongue

Diabetes

Allergies

Emotional stress