[Le-a]

I have had GT for about two years, on and off. Besides looking yuck, it is quite painful at times. If you have any experience with this, do you you know of any triggers or treatment?

Thanks.

[jimbobmel]

Hi OP.

I have had a geographic tongue for many years. My main triggers for it are yogurt, too much fruit, not enough water & pregnancy.

There is no cure for it & it is actually very common, especially in children.

The only thing I can suggest for when it is painful or ulcerated is salt water rinses. Don't use listerine or the likes as the alcohol in these mouth washes can really aggravate the raw areas.

[Le-a]

Thanks jimbobmel, its so bloody painful at times - I wish there was a cure!

Do you notice it gets worse after eating tomatoes?

[fancie]

Mine is sometimes very sore after eating or drinking something acidic - not everytime though. eg. I can go for months drinking lemonade and enjoying it, and then wham! it feels like it is eating into my tongue.

Salad dressings (vinagarette types can be a problem too once in a blue moon).

I think it just depends on how 'raw' it is at the time.

[kittycat01]

Mine was there for a couple of years . Finally went away with combination of Daktaren oral (for mouth thrush) and not using mouth wash for a long period of time. I have dermatitis and GP told me that I was probably getting it on tongue too so avoid the mouthwash which would irritate it more..

TMI but - I had nipple thrush while BFing and was advised to use it on my mouth, nipples and DS's mouth so wasn't used for the geographic tongue specifically - may have been a coincidence that it cleared up after that

[*Appletree*]

Yes I have it, world's ugliest tongue here lol. Pineapple is a killer.

[Le-a]

Oh I'm so glad I'm not alone...

[jimbobmel]

Le-a, I don't eat that much tomato but like PP said, it depends how "raw" it is at the time

[Le-a]

Are any of you Coeliacs, or have you been tested for Coeliac disease? I've been doing some googling and there is a theory that there might be a link.

I had a blood test for Coeliac disease about six years ago which came back negative. My mum has been diagnosed with Coeliac disease for about fifteen years now, next time I see my GP I'll request another bloodtest.

[SeaPrincess]

My brother has it. He was showing his tongue to my children over Skype last week. He's vegetarian, with a very limited diet, and I don't remember him ever saying it hurts, but it has always been like that and I can remember Mum taking him to the doctor when he was little.

R