With geographic tongue, patches on the surface of the tongue are missing papillae. These patches are smooth and red, often with slightly raised borders. This condition is called geographic tongue because the patches make your tongue look like a map.

Geographic tongue is a noncancerous condition that causes smooth reddish, patches on your tongue. It’s called geographic tongue because the patch patterns resemble the way that land masses and oceans are shown on maps. You can have …

Mar 10, 2024 · White patches that look lacy could be lichen planus, which means your immune system is attacking the tissues in your mouth. If you see hard, flat, white areas that can’t be scraped away, it...

Nov 28, 2023 · Geographic tongue is a harmless condition in which white patches appear on the surface of the tongue. Learn about the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and when to see a doctor.

Spots on your tongue are often harmless. But in some cases, they can indicate serious health conditions. Some spots are easily identifiable, while others require further evaluation by a healthcare provider. You have many types of spots on your tongue. Normal spots include taste buds and papillae.

Mar 7, 2025 · White spots or patches may appear on your tongue as a symptom of several conditions. They’re generally benign, but knowing the possible causes will help determine when to contact a doctor. Here are the most common causes of white spots on the tongue: 1. Oral Thrush. Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida yeast.

Dec 21, 2023 · What can cause spots on the tongue? The tongue has lots of small spots or dots on it for taste and sensation. If spots are an unusual color or cause irritation, they may indicate an...

Feb 14, 2023 · Geographic tongue: Smooth red patches of skin appear on your tongue, surrounded by white borders. The red patches outlined in white resemble the borders on a map, which is why it’s called geographic. Geographic tongue isn’t contagious and is a harmless condition, but it can feel painful.

Mar 16, 2024 · White patches or spots on the tongue can be caused by various reasons. They may be from a sore created by biting the tongue or from an underlying condition like thrush. These spots can occur on any surface of the tongue, feel sore, and make it difficult to eat or drink.

Nov 10, 2023 · Geographic tongue is a harmless condition affecting the tongue's mucous membrane. It causes discolored bald spots on the tongue's surface that often appear in island-like patches, making the tongue's surface look like a map. This condition is also called benign migratory glossitis.