HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)geographic tongue

I have a recurrent spot coming on my tongue. What is the cause?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have a spot that keeps on coming on my tongue. I have consulted an ENT specialist and I need a second opinion. The doctor was not able to diagnose it. I am worried. Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Sandeep Shrestha

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

As per the picture, (attachment removed to protect patient identity) the most probable diagnosis is geographic tongue. The most common cause is vitamin deficiency. You can take a multivitamin tablet once a day for two months.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Yes, it comes back at the same spot every time and it is present all over my tongue. The doctor told me that it can be present from birth. I want a second opinion. I do not want it to be cancer. Am I talking to an ENT specialist?

Answered by Dr. Sandeep Shrestha

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you are talking with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. As per the picture, it seems to be denuded tongue papilla. You do not need to worry about cancer. The geographic tongue will not be present from birth. If it remains even after taking multivitamins, then you need to do a biopsy to rule out the cause.

Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At February 21, 2021
Reviewed At August 24, 2023

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha
Dr. Sandeep Shrestha

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
Listen to related tracks in our music library

Related Questions

What causes reddish flap in the tonsil area?

Does biopsy on a pregnant woman result in any complication?

I have enlarged bumps on the back of my tongue. Is that due to fungal infection?

I have an inflamed foliate papillae for more than three weeks. Is it tongue cancer?

Oral Symptoms of COVID-19

Bladder biopsy shows eosinophilic cystitis with eosinophil infiltration. Please help.

Comprehensive Second Opinion

Read answers about:

geographic tongue

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.