Benign Migratory Glossitis (Geographic Tongue)

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Benign Migratory Glossitis (Geographic Tongue)
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What Is It?
Glossitis refers to inflammatory changes in the appearance of the tongue. A common type of glossitis is geographic tongue, also called benign migratory glossitis or erythema migrans. The cause of geographic tongue is unknown.

Geographic tongue consists of irregularly shaped, reddish areas on the tongue, which usually are surrounded by a white border. In this type of glossitis, the reddish areas can resemble a map, and will disappear and reappear in different places on the tongue. Geographic tongue also can occur on other surfaces of your mouth, such as inside the cheeks. In these cases, the condition is referred to as ectopic erythema migrans.

Symptoms
Symptoms include reddish, smooth, depressed patches on the tongue and a change in tongue color. Some people experience tongue burning (glossodynia) or other painful symptoms.

Diagnosis
Your dentist can diagnose benign migratory glossitis by examining your mouth. Areas that do not disappear from one site after two weeks should be biopsied.

Expected Duration
Geographic tongue is usually chronic, lasting years. It often is first noticed during childhood.

Prevention
There is no way to prevent geographic tongue.

Treatment
Geographic tongue does not need to be treated. Soreness can be treated with topical anesthetics or topical steroids.

When To Call a Professional
Red areas on your tongue that do not heal completely or do not appear normal after two weeks should be evaluated by your dentist or specialist.

Prognosis
It is not common for geographic tongue to disappear completely. When there are no painful symptoms and no underlying cause of the inflammation, such as a nutritional deficiency or a tongue injury or infection, geographic tongue is of little concern.