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A small percentage of the American population, approximately one in fourteen people, suffers from geographic tongue, which is the development of light or dark red areas on the tongue that may sometimes have a white edge. This puzzling condition can be frightening when symptoms appear, but those who discover they have it can rest at ease because it is by no means dangerous or malignant.
Geographic tongue and its causes are still being studied, but medical research has indicated that the main factors involved in the development of this disorder are most often linked with diet and genetic factors. Some physicians have indicated that certain elements of the patient’s diet can be linked to geographic tongue’s symptoms. While there is no one type of food that can create or exacerbate it, most often, very spicy or acidic foods have been a factor. Some of these foods can include seasoned tomato sauce, orange juice and other juices with a high citrus content, hot sauce, or other foods that are made with a lot of spices or heat, such as hot wings, some types of salsas, etc.
In addition, people who wish to lessen symptoms should increase their water intake because it will help to keep the tongue moist and reduce the chance of irritation. Avoid soft drinks; they only contribute to dehydration. While avoiding these foods can help lessen the symptoms of geographic tongue, it is certainly not the only cause. Another factor of this condition has been proven to be largely genetic.
A significant percentage of patients with this health condition have parents or other close relatives who have had it in the past. Genetics seem to play a large role in whether or not a person will develop it in his or her lifetime. However, it is very hard to discern a definite pattern. While men are not immune to this oral condition, studies show that women in particular are susceptible to it, as there is a link between the diseases and certain hormones present in the body. Women who are undergoing hormone treatments for other medical conditions have an increased risk of developing symptoms and should be very aware of the other risk factors that make the irritation worse. Oral hormones are not the only culprit; women undergoing sweeping hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, also have reported the presence of symptoms of geographic tongue. Since women are more affected, they should talk to their physicians about any change in the color or overall appearance of their tongue.
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Source by George Levins