Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Patches on the tongue; Tongue - patchy; Benign migratory glossitis; Glossitis - benign migratory
Treatment
No treatment is needed, but antihistamine gel or steroid mouth rinses may help with discomfort.
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Geographic tongue is a harmless condition, but it can be persistent and uncomfortable.
Complications
Calling your health care provider
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
Images
Previous Section
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)
