Geographic tongue

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Tongue

Patches on the tongue; Tongue - patchy; Benign migratory glossitis; Glossitis - benign migratory

No treatment is needed, but antihistamine gel or steroid mouth rinses may help with discomfort.

Geographic tongue is a harmless condition, but it can be persistent and uncomfortable.

Call your doctor if the symptoms last longer than 10 days. Seek immediate medical help if:

• Breathing trouble occurs
• The tongue is severely swollen
• There are problems with speaking, chewing, or swallowing

Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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