Tongue Patches

Any kind of deviation from normalcy in the visible structure of the tongue, on either its dorsal or ventral surface, can result in tongue patches.

This is a condition where there is either balding of the tongue, i.e., there is loss of papillae, or there are other pathogenic conditions which cause tongue discoloration that is visible in the form of patches. Though asymptomatic in nature in several cases, these patches may also lead to burning sensation in mouth, loss of taste, sour taste in mouth, etc.

These patches can be attributed to several underlying conditions, ranging from geographic tongue to relatively less severe tongue infection. Discussed below are the details of some of the most prominent causes of this condition.

Geographic Tongue: One of the most common causes of tongue patches, geographic tongue is a condition characterized by shedding of filiform papillae in parts of the tongue, which leads to the formation of irregular patches on its dorsal surface.

Normally, this is a transient condition, wherein the filiform papillae then grow back in that region and shed in another region of the tongue. This condition is also known as benign migratory glossitis because the patches on tongue keep moving from one region of the tongue to another, with their movement restricted to the dorsal surface of the tongue.

Although the exact cause of geographic tongue is not known, there have been many causes stipulated, including trauma, heredity, diabetes, etc. Although this condition is also often seen in AIDS patients, it cannot be taken as a reason to diagnose a person with AIDS.

This condition is normally asymptomatic, though the person may experience slight burning sensation in the mouth while having spicy food.

Oral Candidiasis: When it comes to white tongue patches, oral candidiasis―a fungal infection of the tongue caused due to Candida albicans―is likely to be the cause. Candidiasis mostly results as an opportunistic infection in patients that have low immunity, like patients suffering from diabetes, AIDS, cancer, etc.

It is also seen in people who have very bad oral hygiene or who wear ill-fitting dentures and dental prostheses. The white patch is mostly seen in the form of a uniform velvet layer, which can be removed to reveal a raw layer of cells and blood which is very painful.

Tongue Infections: There are certain tongue diseases that can also lead to patches on the tongue. These include diseases like viral infections (herpes on tongue), ulcers on the surface of tongue, tongue blisters, and sores on the tongue.

Other Causes: Other causes include trauma to the tongue, like continuous impingement on the side of the tongue causing a traumatic ulcerous patch, leukoplakia patches on tongue, etc. In cases of severe anemia or nutritional deficiencies, there may be balding of tongue which could lead to the formation of tongue patches.

Treatment
The treatment for patches on tongue will depend on the underlying cause. Normally, in most patients who have a geographic tongue, there is no need for any kind of treatment as the condition is mostly asymptomatic.

However, for cases that exhibit severe pain, one may have to go in for geographic tongue treatment. For people suffering from candidiasis, they can cure oral thrush with the help of some topical antifungal drugs. If the thrush is due to ill-fitting prosthesis, then they need to visit the dentist and preferably get it resized or replaced.

However, if there are asymptomatic tongue patches for a very long time, which do not recede even after a very long time, it is best to show them to a dentist so that they can be diagnosed and treated at the earliest.

To sum it up, tongue patches are simply symptoms that manifest as a result of various oral diseases and disorders.

They are not to be confused for tongue patches for weight loss―small meshes that are surgically attached to the tongue which make the process of eating painful, as a result of which the person tends to stick to a liquid diet and obviously loses weight.

There cannot be a more unhealthy way of weight loss. Hence, whether they are natural or artificial tongue patches, it is best to stay away from them and do everything you can to get rid of them at the earliest!