Geographic Tounge - any help?

[Jamo]

I have geographic tounge, ive had it for 2 years now, its very painfull, unsightly and was all over my tounge. Im otherwise a fit healthy 30 year old male. I read that I could have a zinc deficiency so I started taking a zinc suppliment, this worked for 3 weeks which was a HUGE relief!

Unfortunatly it started up again, so I increased my dosage of zinc, this helped and its now gone away again. Im worried that it may again take a hold. I am now taking just slightly over the recomended daily dose of Zinc suppliment, anymore is considered dangerous. I cant keep doing this forever.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? topical steriod lotions and potions have not worked in any case for me. Doctors just keep telling me there is nothing that can be done.

Thanks James

[Jamo]

Latest update:
1. Got rid of whitening toothpaste
2. Stopped using alcohol mouth wash
3. Cut down on spicey food and salad dressings
4. Not so much alcohol

Ive been CLEAR FOR 3 WEEKS!

[Jamo]

Thankyou so much for that info...ill have a look.

PS: The tea bag didnt work...sorry. I had a flare up last week, but kept my dose of Zinc and its seems to be subsiding again.

Interesting to note that i use both a whitening toothpaste and an alcoholic based mouth wash...I might stop this a while and see what happens. Will ready those links you provided.

[Concerned lady]

I typed in "holistic treatments for geographic tongue" into the address bar of the search engine google.com  and then I pressed the "enter key" on my keyboard. This led to many websites about geographic tongue.

Here are links for 2 websites that have info that might help you:

http://www.worlddent.com/2001/05/series/ncuttic1-2.xml

http://www.preventionmouthrinse.com/painful.html

From these 2 websites, I learned that poor DIET, STRESS, and side effects of some MEDICATIONS (steroids, antibiotics, etc.) can often cause a BACTERIAL IMBALANCE IN THE MOUTH, and/or a depression of the immune system, that can result in "geographic tongue".

One treatment that might be helpful, is to RINSE YOUR MOUTH with a LIQUID FORM OF "PROBIOTICS", such as ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS beneficial bacteria. These beneficial bacteria get rid of CANDIDA ALBICANS (a harmful yeast infection, called "thrush", when it is in the mouth area).

After rinsing, you could spit it out, but then swallow (drink) some fresh ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS liquid, so that you can get rid of the possible yeast (Candida) infection in your intestines.

AVOID ALCOHOLIC MOUTH WASHES, which can irritate the tongue.

AVOID HYDROGEN PEROXIDE mouth washes, because (as the second website says), if your water has fluoride in it, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can chemically combine with the fluoride, to produce a corrosive acid that can harm the tongue!

By the way, some people react badly to antihistamines, and one possible side effect is nerve damage, so maybe go for the holistic, gentle treatments first!

These 2 websites were fascinating, and if you "read between the lines", I think you can find some help!

You might want to find a very good NUTRITIONIST who could advise you about greatly improving your diet, which will help you heal faster.

Good luck to you.

Sincerely,
Concerned lady

***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Jamo]

Thankyou...ill give anything a go. I pitty anyone else who has this condition.

[daw]

Thanks for the information on Diphenhydramine HCL. My nurses PDR listed it's classification as "Antihistamine, ethanolamine-type; antiemetic(for use in nausea and vomiting). It also mentioned it's use as an anti-parkinsons drug( relief of dyskinesias/extrapyramidal symptoms) and anti-motion sickness medication. Interesting multi use medication.

[CCB]

daw,
Benedryl, an antihistamine yes, is also a steroid.  The word "steroid" is just a general term that is applied to any of the various fat-soluable, organic compounds that are chemically similar to sterols (another group of substances classified by their chemical structure).  According to the FDA, diphenhydramine is classified as a adrenal corticosteroid (because it is a synthetic derivative of a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex), it is also classified as an antihistamine, an antipruritic (anti-itch), a local anesthetic, an expectorant (meaning that it is useful in clearing mucus from the respiratory tract), an antineoplastic (anti-tumor), a nasal decongestant, an antitussive (cough suppressant), and even an anxiolytic/sedative hypnotic that has been used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Histamines are substances released by cells that produce symptoms associated with an allergic reaction (swelling, itching, constriction of the bronchi, mucus production, etc.). Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine because it is a histamine receptor antagonist (it blocks histamine H1 receptors) it is through this primary mechanism of action that some of its other uses (as an expectorant, anxiolytic, antipruritic, antitussive, nasal decongestant) are secodary.  So yes, Benedryl is an antihistamine.

[daw]

Just a note: Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is not a steroid but an antihistamine.

[CCB]

jamo,
Its not well understood what causes benign migratory glossitis (a genetic component has been identified, geographic tongue tends to cluster in families and it has been linked to psoriasis, zinc deficiency, viral transmission, allergic reactions/autoimune conditons).  It usually responds to topical corticosteroids (like Lidex Gel contains antiinflamatory agent) but if these dont work and the zinc does work: have you had your blood-levels of zinc tested, maybe you have a malabsorption condition if your zinc levels are still low even after taking daily recommended dose.  Some other treatments that Ive heard of that might work but probably wont: Lipton Teabag (tea has tannon (origional flavor), might provide some releif: just wet the teabag with warm water and place it on the tongue) and also a liquid solution of diphenhydramine (Benadryl-a steroid) and Regular Unflavored Maylox: a teaspoon of this solution can be swished and spit every two hours and is used to treat mouth ulcers/other oral mucosal lesions (generally any sores in the mouth).  Let me know if this helps.