Causes of geographical spots on the tongue
Geographic tongue is a painful condition manifested by dystrophic and inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane of the tongue. It is characterized by alternating areas of peeling and thickening. It is important to know why geographic tongue appears in a child and what parents need to do.
Causes of occurrence:
- deficiency of group B vitamins;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastroduodenitis, malabsorption syndrome, pancreatitis);
- endocrine diseases;
- autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis);
- severe forms of viral infection;
- exudative diathesis, cold;
- diseases of the oral cavity.
Blood diseases, nervous disorders and vegetative-endocrine disorders are also causes of geographic spots on the tongue. In babies, the disease is often a companion of worm infestation. Heredity and diseases of the spleen are also risk factors.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms most often appear on the back and side of the tongue. The disease is characterized by alternating areas of epithelial peeling and mucosal thickening, resulting in whitish-gray to bright pink spots. Outwardly, they resemble a geographical map.
There are no pronounced symptoms. The disease is usually diagnosed during an examination for another pathology. In some cases (especially when eating spicy, hot and salty food), the patient may complain of:
- change in the sensitivity of the tongue;
- burning and tingling sensation;
- itching;
- unpleasant sensations while eating.
On our website Dobrobut.com, you can make an appointment with a doctor and get answers to all your questions. If necessary, the specialist will prescribe additional diagnostics and a course of treatment after receiving the examination results.
Diagnosis and treatment of geographic tongue in an adult
Diagnosis of the disease in most cases does not cause complications. The diagnosis is made after a thorough examination and collection of anamnesis. Sometimes consultation of a dentist and a gastroenterologist is required.
When making a diagnosis in adults, an extended examination is necessary. When collecting anamnesis, the presence of chronic diseases and allergic manifestations, as well as the state of the immune system, are taken into account. Taking all this into account, a course of treatment for geographic tongue in an adult is prescribed.
Treatment of pathology
Therapy is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. Geographic tongue is not an independent disease, but a condition that signals serious problems in the body.
Additional measures:
- sanitation of the oral cavity;
- exclusion from the diet of salty, spicy and hot food;
- alkaline rinses, local applications with an anesthetic;
- prescribing antihistamine drugs;
- appointment of multivitamin complexes.
With strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations, the prognosis of the disease is favorable.
Folk medicine recommends using a decoction of oak bark, calendula or chamomile for rinsing. You can also use propolis (applied to affected areas), vegetable oil (oral baths) and honey.
Complications and prevention
Geographic tongue is not an independent disease, but its appearance signals serious disturbances in the body's work. The sooner you consult a specialist, the sooner adequate treatment will be prescribed. Timely therapy is a guarantee of quality treatment.
Complications are very rare in childhood.
Preventive measures. Fighting bad habits, taking vitamins in the spring-autumn period, adequate treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and timely sanitation of the oral cavity will help to avoid this condition.
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