Red patch on tongue comes and goes

There is also small cracks and itchy nipple sensation. If you notice your child having trouble in feeding and has white lesions in the mouth, take him or her for diagnosis. According to Mayo Clinic, oral cancer also called mouth cancer is one of the types of cancer categorized under head and neck cancer. Oral cancer is due to cell mutations occurring in cell DNA. Those at risk include smokers and tobacco chewers, alcoholics and patients with human papillomavirus, HPV.

A study which confirms it is responsible for white patches on the tongue is attributed to the symptoms outlined below which show up when cells in oral organs are affected afterward.

To go on, certain sexually transmitted diseases are symptomatic to this spots and potentially lead to other complications at advanced stages. Basically, persons living with HIV virus can go for a good number of years without showing its signs. As one of the immune compromised STDs in human, symptoms eventually appear at later stages of its developments.

Other complications involve neurological disorders such as loss of memory, depression after victims undergo a severe brain damage. This level is considered a fatal or 3 rd stage syphilis since it can damage the brain, nerves, heart and other body organs. Mouth ulcers is another common reason and it is a cause.

These painful sores are due to varied and combined reasons including canker sores, cuts on tongue, inner cheeks, bacterial infections that are by far common in young people and adults. Prolonged use of antibiotics can also result in white spots developing on the tongue. Though they are used to cure infections caused by microorganisms i. Another reason for the occurrence of white spots or patches on the tongue can be triggered by smoking especially tobacco.

This is because the smoke contains toxic tannin that easily irritates its lining membrane and on your inner cheeks. Such patches are usually thicker than the normal white tongue coating. They are not painful but may grow and risk of developing and turn cancerous if individuals continue to smoke heavily.

Smokers of tobacco get a burning sensation due to irritating nature of smoke. Here is a brief discussion of other causes of white patches spots on, under or on the back of tongue, throat, and mouth in addition to what we have looked at.

In contrast to oral thrush, this condition characterized by white patches on tongue surface whose lesions cannot be rubbed off. The exact causes of leukoplakia are not well known, making it even hard to identify specific symptoms. Even though, research indicates that presence of whitish to yellow or grey patches on the tongue are connected to it. The whitish appearance is due to the hydrating influence of saliva. Causative factors of this condition include tobacco, excessive consumption of alcohol, bloodroot extracts used in toothpastes among other reasons.

Strep throat is caused by Streptococcal bacteria. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, inflamed tonsillitis, white patches or spots on back tongue and tonsils; but is not similar to common sore throat caused by a virus. Studies of factors that may be associated with an increased risk of geographic tongue have produced mixed results.

Factors that are likely associated with an increased risk include:. Geographic tongue is a benign condition. It doesn't pose a threat to your health, cause long-term complications or increase your risk of major health problems. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Geographic tongue Open pop-up dialog box Close. Geographic tongue Geographic tongue results from the loss of tiny hairlike projections papillae on your tongue's surface. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Usatine RP, et al. Geographic tongue. New York, N. Some people who experience a geographic tongue will also develop a fissured tongue.

These two conditions occur together frequently. A fissured tongue causes cracks and grooves in the surface of the tongue. These indentations can be irritating and sometimes painful. Geographic tongue is estimated to occur in about 1 to 3 percent of the population. Researchers do not know exactly why geographic tongue develops, but certain people may be more likely to develop it than others.

These people typically have a disease or condition that increases their risk. This common skin condition causes a build-up of skin cells on the surface of the skin. The overabundance of skin cells can turn into thick, scaly patches that are frequently itchy and uncomfortable.

People with psoriasis are more likely to develop geographic tongue, and some experts think geographic tongue is an oral form of psoriasis. This inflammatory condition causes bumps and lesions on the surface of the skin or inside the mouth. A geographic tongue may be the oral form of this condition. Having too little vitamin B can cause inflammation, swelling, and other symptoms on the tongue. Specifically, B6, B12, and folate B9 deficiencies have been associated with geographic tongue.

People who are vitamin B deficient are more likely to have bald areas on the tongue. These areas are where the papillae have disappeared. People who do not have enough vitamin B may also develop geographic tongue. Pregnant people go through a lot of hormonal changes, and the growing fetus takes a lot of nutrients from your body.

This can make you deficient in certain vitamins, and you may experience symptoms similar to those of a geographic tongue. Geographic tongue does not have a treatment or cure.

Most lesions and symptoms will disappear in a few days or weeks. Still, some treatments may help reduce symptoms:. Geographic tongue is not contagious. Geographic tongue is very distinct, so a healthcare professional may only need to see your tongue to make a diagnosis.