Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences By PHILLIP MILANO
Question
I’ve noticed that some people have cracks on their tongues. Why is this?
Walter S., 50, Houston
Replies
Hanging their heads out the window like dogs maybe?
Ron S., 60, Stockton, Calif.
I believe I read that one reason is a deficiency of a certain B vitamin.
Laurie B., 55, Boston
I have such a tongue. It causes weird patches and sometime fissures as a result of the papillae wearing off. It is exacerbated by spicy and acidic foods or drinks.
Tracy, 27, Dallas
My dad has cracks on his tongue, and he was told it was caused by his mouth being overly dry. The condition may also have a genetic component: I also have cracks, although not as bad as his.
Daniel, 26, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Expert says
Here’s a mouthful: benign migratory glossitis. It’s an inflammatory condition, more typically known as geographic tongue.
There are actually two separate conditions to be aware of here, says Robert D. Kelsch, an oral pathologist at NorthShore LIj Health System in New Hyde Park, N.Y.
One is “fissured” or “cracked” tongue, which can go hand-in-hand with geographic tongue. Beyond cracks, the latter can lead to red patches on the top, sides and underside of the tongue, with surrounding patches of white borders that are irregular-shaped.
Sounds like . . . a map. Which is where it gets its name.
It can happen in about 20 percent of adults, likely has a hereditary cause though a specific cause is unknown, has no demographic disposition and usually goes away in about seven to 10 days, Kelsch said.
“It has nothing to do with diet or not eating or eating certain foods or vitamin deficiencies or infection or cancer,” he said.
However, that doesn’t mean if you see something nasty in the mirror when you stick out your tongue that you should just blow it off.
“One of the high-risk sites for oral cancer is the tongue, and it can present as red and white patches, too. Since there can be some overlap in clinical appearance between geographic tongue and oral cancer, it would be a good idea to have it looked at.”
Assuming it’s geographic tongue, the most common thing to do is just wait for it to go away, though in some more severe cases, a topical steroid can be prescribed, Kelsch said.
And, if acidic foods like tomato juice or vinegar increase the burning sensations of the affliction, then stay away from them during the outbreak.
“Really, the most bothersome thing is not knowing what it is,” he said. “Many patients have seen other specialists, some of whom may assume this is some kind of pre-cancerous or fungal or viral infection, and they get put on all sorts of meds, have biopsies done and it doesn’t resolve it. By the time they see me, they’re very anxious and think it’s some more serious disease that’s incurable.”