Map got your tongue?
In what appeared to be a slip of the tongue, “Saturday Night Live” alumna Kate McKinnon recently revealed to People that she has an odd but harmless medical condition called “geographic tongue.”
“Your tongue sheds in patches and looks like an atlas, hence the name ‘geographic tongue,’ ” McKinnon, 41, explained to the mag.
“It’s gross,” she added. “Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this in a magazine.”
The Cleveland Clinic estimates that 3% of people worldwide have the condition, known scientifically as benign migratory glossitis. That approximation may be an undercount, the clinic noted, because patients don’t always seek medical care.
Here’s a look at this unusual carto-tongue-graphy.
What is ‘geographic tongue’?
Small bumps called papillae cover the tongue — they help grip food for chewing and swallowing and house the taste buds.
Normal filiform papillae are the most common type of papillae.
These thread-like or cone-shaped structures are on the front two-thirds of the tongue.
“Geographic tongue” is the loss of normal filiform papillae, resulting in irregular, smooth and red so-called “islands” surrounded by white or grey borders.
These patches can change shape and size, disappear and reappear at any time and place on the tongue.
What are the risk factors for ‘geographic tongue’?
The exact cause of geographic tongue is not known, though it’s considered an inflammatory condition.
It tends to run in families.
It’s also more common in women, young adults and those suffering from allergies, eczema, psoriasis, Type 1 diabetes, stress and nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin B.
It’s not contagious.
What are the symptoms?
“Geographic tongue” is typically symptomless, though patients may experience soreness, burning or pain when eating spicy, acidic, hot or very salty foods.
Experts recommend seeing a dentist or doctor if symptoms are severe or persist for more than 10 days.
What is the treatment?
Patients should brush their teeth and tongue twice a day and avoid the food and stress triggers that cause discomfort.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, anesthetic and antihistamine mouth rinses, topical anesthetic gels and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage pain.
Other celebrities who have ‘geographic tongue’
McKinnon’s revelation surfaced when she shared with People the last picture she had taken.
“I took a photo of my tongue and sent it to an actor friend of mine,” she said.
“We brag about how geographic we are on any given day.”
McKinnon didn’t publicly name her friend, but other stars have come forward to disclose their tongue-in-chic condition.
“Duck Dynasty”‘s Sadie Robertson and singer Maura Nava have confirmed diagnoses.
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