Tongue - Geographic
Definition
- Map-like red patches on the tongue
- Cause not known
Call or Return If
- The tongue becomes painful
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
About This Topic
Symptoms
- Smooth red patches of different shapes and sizes.
- The pattern looks like a map of islands.
- The red patches have a whitish border
- The shapes can change from week to week.
- The bare spots are usually painless.
- The child does not lose the sense of taste.
- The condition usually occurs in children under age 6.
Cause
- The cause is not known.
- It may be related to food allergies or other irritants.
- A vitamin deficiency could also be the cause. This can occur if your child is a picky eater.
- Also, this can run in families. (genetic)
- It's not caused by an infection.
After Care Advice
Overview:
- Geographic tongue is harmless.
- It occurs mainly in children age 2 to 6 years.
- It cannot spread to other children.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Vitamins:
- If your child is a picky eater, start your child on a multi-vitamin. Give daily.
Avoid Triggers:
- Avoid any foods that make it worse.
Treatment:
- Usually no treatment is helpful or needed.
What to Expect:
- The tongue returns to normal on its own.
- This can take months up to 2 years.
- During this time, your child won't have any symptoms.
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP Copyright
Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
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