Homoeopathy for Geographic Tongue

Geographic tongue is an inflammatory but harmless condition affecting the surface of your tongue. The tongue is normally covered with tiny, pinkish-white bumps (papillae), which are actually short, fine, hairlike projections. With geographic tongue, patches on the surface of the tongue are missing papillae and appear as smooth, red “islands,” often with slightly raised borders.

These patches (lesions) give the tongue a maplike, or geographic, appearance. The lesions often heal in one area and then move (migrate) to a different part of your tongue. Geographic tongue is also known as benign migratory glossitis.

Although geographic tongue may look alarming, it doesn’t cause health problems and isn’t associated with infection or cancer. Geographic tongue can sometimes cause tongue discomfort and increased sensitivity to certain substances, such as spices, salt and even sweets.

Signs and symptoms of geographic tongue may include:

• Smooth, red, irregularly shaped patches (lesions) on the top or side of your tongue
• Frequent changes in the location, size and shape of lesions
• Discomfort, pain or burning sensation in some cases, most often related to eating spicy or acidic foods

Many people with geographic tongue have no symptoms.

Geographic tongue can continue for days, months or years. The problem often resolves on its own but may appear again at a later time.

Causes:

 The exact cause behind it is not clearly known. However, some people are predisposed to develop it more than others. Persons who have a family history of this condition are at risk pointing towards links with genetics. People having certain diseases and conditions are at more risk to develop it. First among these is psoriasis (It is an auto-immune skin disease in which there occurs inflamed red patches on skin covered by silvery white scales on it. It is thought that geographic tongue is a type of oral form of psoriasis). 

Another medical condition linked with it is Lichen Planus (It is a long term inflammatory condition of the skin and mucous membranes of an autoimmune origin. On skin it presents as purplish, flat-topped papules with white, lacy lines. In the case of mucosal lichen planus white patches having lacy net-like patterns appear mostly though ulcers or red irregular patches can also develop. 

Geographic tongue may be a type of lichen planus affecting the tongue. Though psoriasis and lichen planus are linked with geographic tongue, more extensive research is required to know the exact link between them. It is also found that people having this condition may have an accompanying complaint of fissured tongue.Sometimes it is also associated with intake of steroids for long duration.

Other than these, deficiency of Vitamin B2 is linked with this. Lastly this condition may occur during pregnancy due to a lot of ongoing hormonal changes. It is to be noted that this condition is not associated with any infection or cancer. This condition can affect people of any age group but mostly it affects young adults. Women are more affected with this condition as compared to men. It can worsen during some sort of psychological stress.

When do I see a doctor?

Geographic tongue is a minor — although sometimes uncomfortable — condition. However, lesions on the tongue may indicate other more-serious conditions of the tongue or diseases affecting the body in general. If you have lesions on the tongue that don’t resolve within 10 days or causing severe symptoms, see your Doctor.

1.     Merc Sol – for Mapped Tongue

Merc Sol is a leading medicine for cases of mapped tongue. It is indicated when there are dark spots along with redness of tongue. Burning is also felt in these spots. Along with this pain is also there. The pain is worse from least contact with food. Tongue is moist along with profuse salivation. Offensiveness of saliva is marked with it. In many cases needing it the tongue is large, flabby with imprints of teeth. Tendency to fissures or ulcers on the tongue can be present in people requiring it.

2.     Natrum Mur – For Red Patches on Tongue with Dryness

This is the next well indicated medicine for mapped tongue. In cases needing it there are red patches on the tongue. The tongue is dry with this. A very peculiar sensation of hair on the tongue may be present. Mostly the front of the tongue is clean and the back of the tongue is coated. In some cases burning at the tip of the tongue is felt. Sores or ulcers can be present on the tongue along with above symptoms.

3.     Taraxacum -For Dark Red Spots on Tongue

This medicine is prepared from plant Taraxacum Officinale commonly known as dandelion. This plant belongs to family compositae. It is prominently indicated when there are dark red patches on the tongue. These spots are very sensitive and tender in cases needing it. Rest of the tongue is coated white. Along with this there may be bitter taste in the mouth. 

    4. Nitric Acid – For Mapped Tongue with Pain

This medicine is very beneficial for cases of mapped tongue with pain. For using it the pain can be sore, stinging, pricking or burning type. The tongue is also very sensitive even to touch of soft food. In most cases the tongue is dry and fissured. Additionally there may be ulcers on edges of the tongue. These ulcers have stinging pain in them.

5.     Lachesis – Mapped Tongue with Cracks at the Tip of Tongue

This medicine is considered in cases in which the patches are attended with cracks at the tip of the tongue. The top of the tongue is also red in these cases. Tongue may also be swollen and inflamed along with blisters on it. It may be dry in the centre. Along with the above symptoms there may be sour taste in the mouth.

6.     Terebinthina – For Bright Red Patches on Tongue

Terebinthina is a helpful medicine for these cases presenting with bright red patches here and there on the tongue. The tongue also appears smooth, shiny, glossy as from loss of the papilla. Tongue can also be dry sometimes. Burning specifically at the tip of the tongue is present with above features.

7.     Kali Mur – Mapped Tongue with Burning / Stinging Sensation

This medicine is useful when there is a burning, stinging sensation on the tongue. Tongue is coated thick white slimy fur like or grayish white  with red patches. Sometimes salty, sour or bitter taste in the mouth is felt along with above symptoms. 

8.     Ranunculus Sceleratus – with Rawness, Smarting or Burning Sensation 

This medicine is prepared from plants commonly known as Marsh buttercup and also Celery – leaved crowfoot. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. In cases needing it the tongue is mapped or peeled off in spots. These spots are raw accompanied with a smarting, burning sensation. The tongue is inflamed and sometimes the entire mouth is inflamed. In some cases where it is required only the sides of the tongue have island-like denuded spots while the rest of the tongue is thickly coated. 

9.     Physostigma – with Soreness on the Tip of Tongue

This medicine is prepared from beans of the plant physostigma venenosum also known as calabar bean, ordeal bean and esere. This plant belongs to family leguminosae. This medicine is considered when the tongue is mapped along with soreness on its tip. The tongue may feel burnt or scalded with this. In cases needing it excessive salivation is also there. The saliva is thick, leathery type. Bad taste in mouth is felt in addition to above symptoms.

10. Argentum Nitricum: Emotional, nervous and digestIVE UPSETS. The case finally solved with this constitutional remedy within 6 months. The treatment started with Nat mur and Merc sol depending on the symptoms similiarity.

Acute digestive upsets they develop an extreme desire for cold foods, cold drinks, iced foods, and as they have a definite desire for sweet things in any form, you find the Argentum nit. patients have a strong desire for ice cream. The cold foods and cold drinks seem to relieve abdominal pain, but, as a rule, ice cream makes them worse.

They are very fond of sweets which always tend to increase their digestive difficulty. The appetite is usually fairly good, and these patients have a marked desire for strong-tasting, pungent food. Tongue is a rather pale, flabby tongue, which is somewhat dry. But where there is much chronic bowel irritation, the tongue is liable to become smoother, redder, and looks rather as if the papillae had been flattened out.

Note: The medicines mentioned here are indicative. Please consult a qualified Homoeopath for individualised treament, dose and potency. Self prescription is harmful.

Dr.Rajeshwari Rapata.