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Geographic tongue!!
Oct 25, 2007 11:24AM
- 3 comments
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I noticed that I was getting spots on the tongue where the papillae (small bumps on the tongue) were missing resulting in smooth patches on the tongue. I
went to the doctor and he seemed more interested in explaining why it was called geographic tongue - because the patches look like countries. I guess
I should have smiled and said look there's France and maybe if I come back next week we'll discover America but I was remotely annoyed that after the
geography lesson all he said was that it was autoimmune and there was nothing that could be done about it. He is probably right but I wish he had taken
the opportunity / seemed interested in learning a little more about it. Could the fact that it only appears on the right side of the tongue be significant or that it
was started directly after a particularly stressful episode? I guess for me it is important that doctors have experince to quickly recognize conditions but I always
hope that experince doesn't come in the way of learning......
went to the doctor and he seemed more interested in explaining why it was called geographic tongue - because the patches look like countries. I guess
I should have smiled and said look there's France and maybe if I come back next week we'll discover America but I was remotely annoyed that after the
geography lesson all he said was that it was autoimmune and there was nothing that could be done about it. He is probably right but I wish he had taken
the opportunity / seemed interested in learning a little more about it. Could the fact that it only appears on the right side of the tongue be significant or that it
was started directly after a particularly stressful episode? I guess for me it is important that doctors have experince to quickly recognize conditions but I always
hope that experince doesn't come in the way of learning......
You won't miss fall allergies here in CA for long, you'll get them after a few years here ;)
I guess experience does get in the way of empathy in your case. Nope, only being on the right side isn't significant. Geographic tongue oftens starts after stress or other exposure to things you're allergic to. The top part of the dead skin sloughs off, making the papillae look more prominent.
It's no biggie. Docs often make small talk to try to underscore the lack of clinical significance and try to reassure a patient. In this case that didn't work, and he should have educated you more. Ask more questions next time!
Dr. Enoch Choi, MD
Palo Alto, CA
I guess experience does get in the way of empathy in your case. Nope, only being on the right side isn't significant. Geographic tongue oftens starts after stress or other exposure to things you're allergic to. The top part of the dead skin sloughs off, making the papillae look more prominent.
It's no biggie. Docs often make small talk to try to underscore the lack of clinical significance and try to reassure a patient. In this case that didn't work, and he should have educated you more. Ask more questions next time!
Dr. Enoch Choi, MD
Palo Alto, CA
I have had geographic tongue since I was 13. Acidic foods make it worse for me. Many doctors have told me there is nothing that can be done about it. My brother loves teasing me about it though.
I suppose I have a geographic tongue since I just learned about it tonight on these posts. I have this sensitivity on the left side only and the inside of my left jaw also. I have to be so careful of what I eat, toothpaste and mouthwash always have a burning sensation but that clears up almost immediately. I have this for over a year now and am wondering if it ever goes away. Eating is not as enjoyable as it used to be. Im in my 70's but I take no medicine and Im thinking its one of the scourges of aging. I went to my doctor and my dentist and they both looked at my tongue with interest but they didnt have a clue. Id love to hear from other people so we could help each other.
Kathleen 4/2008
Kathleen 4/2008
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