Question 1

is there  an association between chronic lyme disease and geographic tongue?

Accepted Answer

Not particularly: Lyme can cause virtually any symptom and geographic tongue could be one of them, but I have not found geographic tongue to be common in patients with lyme.Common causes of geographic tongue include celiac disease & other food allergies, environmental allergies, vit B12 & zinc deficiencies, hormonal imbalances & imbalances of flora. Of course many people with chronic lyme may also have those issues.

Question 2

have you heard of an association between chronic lyme disease and geographic tongue?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Geographic tongue is a mild inflammatory condition--no association with disease or infection, although it is not known for sure what causes it.  It can be associated with other dermatologic conditions,  lyme disease is an infection caused by infected tick bites.

Question 3

can geographic tongue be caused by a food allergy or intolerance, such as celiac disease? or lactose intolerance?

Accepted Answer

No: Geographic tongue is a normal variant.

Question 4

is geographic tongue a self-limited disorder that eventually resolves itself or is it permanent?

Accepted Answer

See below: It is usually due to allergies. You need to find out what you are allergic to and then maybe the geographic tongue will resolve. It has no significance other than being associated with allergies.

Question 5

how do i cure geographic tongue?

Accepted Answer

Try several things: No cure, but many things in use.  Antihistamines, tylenol, (acetaminophen) rinsing with topical anesthetics, anxiolytics.  This is generally a benign and relatively asymptomatic condition.

Question 6

what can cause geographic tongue?

Accepted Answer

Normal: It's also called migratory glossitis. It has a slight female predilection. There are two types of structures on the tongue. Filliform and fungiform papillae. The former tend to wear away faster than the later.  There is no worry about 1-2% of the population have it. Not a contagious condition and no treatment is necessary. That's the quick answer. Don't worry about it as there is no treatment.

Question 7

does geographic tongue stay forever?

Accepted Answer

It can : Geographic tongue is a harmless condition that does not need any treatment, so do not worry about it.  It can come and go over time.

Question 8

do children outgrow geographic tongue?

Accepted Answer

No: This is not a real problem it is just a condition that some people have, like having freckles.  There is nothing wrong with this diagnosis.

Question 9

how can you know if geographic tongue?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Geographic tongue is when the tongue appears like a MAP with darker and lighter area, areas where the papillae or crypts (mountain and valleys) vary. Most of the time, it is normal,  get a general checkup including baseline blood testing, particularly, a cbc.

Question 10

does geographic tongue disappear eventually?

Accepted Answer

Comes and goes: Geographic tongue will change its appearance over time and may disappear.  This is a harmless condition and no treatment is needed. Don't worry about geographic tongue.

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Doctor answers about:

Geographic tongue disease

A member asked:

Is there an association between chronic lyme disease and geographic tongue?

A member asked:

Have you heard of an association between chronic lyme disease and geographic tongue?

A member asked:

Can geographic tongue be caused by a food allergy or intolerance, such as celiac disease? or lactose intolerance?

A member asked:

Is geographic tongue a self-limited disorder that eventually resolves itself or is it permanent?

A member asked:

How do i cure geographic tongue?

A member asked:

What can cause geographic tongue?

A member asked:

Does geographic tongue stay forever?

A member asked:

Do children outgrow geographic tongue?

A member asked:

How can you know if geographic tongue?

A member asked:

Does geographic tongue disappear eventually?

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