<i>Map like ulcer on tongue</i>
Parents sometimes come to us with their kids having history of recurrent map like ulceration on the upper surface of the tongue. These ulcers changes shape and sizes and they appear and disappear. They do not affect any growth and development of the child. Affected kids complaint of burning sensation and irritation while taking food and sometimes they refuse to take food because of spicy feeling. We call this condition Geographic tongue or Glossitis areata migrans. 1-2% of children may have this problem below 5 years of age. As it is a recurrent condition, parents become anxious and pay visit to doctors frequently. Fortunately it is a benign condition and does not require any investigation; diagnosis is straight forward, done by examining the tongue. Rarely this condition may be associated with anemia, diabetes mellitus and skin disorder. Mainstay of management is to reassure the parents and talk to them about the nature of the condition and relieve them from undue anxiety. Vitamins, minerals and maintenance of oral hygiene may help. By the age of 5-7 years it usually goes off automatically without any long term problem or complications. So please do not get worried.
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