Tongue Conditions Flashcards
Glossitis
Inflamed tongue
Presentation of glossitis
Tongue becomes red, sore and swollen.
Atrophy of the papillae - smooth
Causes of glossitis
Iron deficiency anaemia
B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Coeliac disease
Injury or irritant exposure
Causes of angioedema of the tongue
Allergic reactions
ACE inhibitors
C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (hereditary angioedema)
Oral Candidiasis
Oral thrush due to candida albicans
Presentation of oral thrush
White spots or patches that coat the surface of the tongue and palate
RIsk factors for oral candidiasis
Inhaled corticosteroids (not rinsing with water afterwards)
Antibiotics
Diabetes
Immunodeficiency (consider HIV)
Smoking
Treatment for oral candidiasis
Miconazole gel
Nystatin suspension
Fluconazole tablets (in severe or recurrent cases)
Geographic Tongue
Inflammatory condition where patches of the tongue’s surface lose the epithelium and papillae
Presentation of geographical tongue
Patches form irregular shapes on the tongue, resembling a map
Relapse and remitting
Episodes can last days - weeks
Conditions associated with geographical tongue
Stress and mental illness
Psoriasis
Atopy (asthma, hayfever and eczema)
Diabetes
Treatment of geographical tongue
Self resolving
Causes of strawberry tongue
Kawasaki disease
Scarlet fever
Pathophysiology of black hairy tongue
Decreased shedding (exfoliation) of keratin from the tongue’s surface.
The papillae elongate
Bacteria and food cause the dark pigmentation
Presentation of black hairy tongue
Black hairy tongue
Sticky saliva
Metallic taste
