It is not uncommon for some people's tongues to have an unusual appearance. In some it is enlarged, in others it looks like a geographical map, and in others it is covered with grooves. So, a folded tongue (or scrotal) is rarely acquired. People are more often born with this pathology. A similar anomaly occurs in both childhood and adulthood.
This type of tongue is called scrotal because of its similarity to the scrotal area (due to folds and overhanging skin). Let's try to find out more about the folded tongue: is it dangerous, who has the pathology and how to live with it.
Folded tongue: photos and symptoms
Usually the anomaly is detected in early childhood, but it also occurs in adults, since sometimes this problem does not bother the patient in any way, and the person is not even aware of its presence. The signs of the disease are as follows:
- Macroglossia, or enlargement of the tongue, which can affect a person's speech and chewing function. Usually the patient keeps his teeth in an open position.
- Folds and grooves appear on the surface, which are covered with papillae.
- The tongue is significantly thickened.
- The back and tip of the tongue are smoothed, the filiform papillae have atrophied.
- Increased sensitivity (especially in people who have undergone infectious diseases and surgical operations).
- Regular tingling and pinching sensation.
- Lymph nodes are enlarged.
- Smell from the mouth.
The folds, in turn, are different: transverse, deep longitudinal (and not very deep), fringed. Usually the main longitudinal fold (it is the largest and deepest) runs from the tip along its midline. The remaining folds lead exactly to it.
Sometimes this pathology accompanies desquamative glossitis (geographic tongue) - this is inflammation, as a result of which some areas of the organ become several shades lighter or acquire a gray tint. In general, the picture of the organ resembles a map, which is why it got its name.
Causes
The causes of defects on the surface of the tongue can be very different. At the same time, a pathological folded tongue can lead to the formation of numerous cracks in the mucous membrane - therefore it is important to know the causes of both cracks and folds in the tongue.
Tongue injuries
A variety of mechanical and chemical injuries to the tongue can lead to the formation of cracks.
Bites
The most common cause of damage to the mucous membrane is an accidentally bitten tongue. Typically, such cracks are small, painful when touched, and are located closer to the teeth - that is, on the sides and on the tip of the tongue. If you additionally eat hot or spicy foods, ulcers may form at the site of damage.
Cuts
You can get a painful tongue injury by accidentally cutting it. Cracks due to cuts appear, including on the lower surface of the tongue. You can cut yourself on the edge of a decayed tooth, or when chewing hard food, such as nuts or kozinak. Such injuries can be very painful and lead to wounds that take a long time to heal.
Tissue ruptures
The tongue can be accidentally caught between the teeth during a fall, a blow to the head, or a convulsive seizure. This can injure not only the mucous membrane, but also the muscle tissue of the tongue.
Burns
Eating hot spices and very hot foods harms the oral mucosa. A tongue burn causes severe pain and discomfort. After a thermal burn, the surface of the mucous membrane begins to peel off. The destroyed protective shell serves as the entrance door to infection - bacterial or fungal. Harmful microorganisms begin to multiply around the lips and in the oral cavity, leading to the appearance of cracks.
Rubbing teeth while sleeping
Bruxism is a habit of grinding teeth while sleeping and is common in children. In this case, cracks appear on the sides and at the tip of the tongue. To prevent teeth rubbing during sleep, special medical devices are used.
Lack of nutrients
Serious deep cracks in the tongue
In some cases, cracks in the tongue are caused by certain conditions, habits, syndromes, the real causes of which are not very well known. One such condition is a lack of certain nutrients.
Vitamin B2 deficiency or ariboflavinosis
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) helps the body absorb other nutrients such as vitamin B6, folic acid, iron and niacin. Signs of riboflavin deficiency are swelling and soreness in the throat, redness and swelling of the tongue. An enlarged tongue may become covered with cracks.
Vitamin supplements are used to combat this condition. But you need to be careful when using them - an overdose of vitamin B2 increases the risk of kidney stones, photophobia, and skin irritation. Before using supplements, check the recommended dosages of vitamin B2 for different age groups.
It is safer to eat foods containing vitamin B2
Examples of such products:
- greens (broccoli, spinach, etc.). It is best to choose dark green vegetables;
- fish;
- chicken, turkey;
- dairy products.
Folate deficiency
Inflammation of the tongue or glossitis is the main symptom of vitamin B9 deficiency, leading to the formation of cracks and ulcers on the tongue. Consumption of folic acid is especially important for women during pregnancy and nursing mothers.
Food sources of vitamin B9:
- Green vegetables
- Legumes
- Whole wheat bread
- Citrus
Biotin deficiency
A lack of biotin - vitamin B7 leads to fatigue, pale skin, and also causes cracks in the tongue.
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Folding of the tongue - prerequisites for the development of anomalies and features of care
A folded tongue is a pathological phenomenon in which the organ increases in size and pronounced grooves appear on it. Patients with such diagnoses often do not experience any obvious symptoms, so the problem can often only be detected through a diagnostic examination. However, if you do not take good care of your teeth and oral cavity, the risk of developing yeast fungi greatly increases, which can lead to burning and dryness of the mucous membranes. Later in the article we will talk in detail about what kind of syndrome this is, why deep folds appear on the tongue and how this can be dangerous.
Possible causes of pathology
The exact causes of the anomaly are unknown. But there are a number of factors that can provoke the appearance of pathology:
- chronic diseases of the liver, stomach, duodenum;
- skin diseases;
- pathologies of the nervous system;
- pathologies of the endocrine system;
- bone marrow diseases;
- acute infections;
- violation of the mucous membrane of the tongue and its trophic function;
- lack of vitamins and essential microelements in the body;
- collagenosis;
- human reaction to vaccination;
- hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, lactation).
Prevention
By following these simple preventive measures, you can prevent the development of many oral diseases.
Don't smoke or quit smoking
If you are plagued by candidiasis, you should quit smoking. Quitting smoking, combined with the necessary treatment, will reduce the intensity of the infection and help you heal.
Avoid eating spicy and hot foods
When the injured mucous membrane of the tongue is exposed to heat and aggressive chemicals, the inflammation worsens. So if your cracked mouth is causing pain, it's time to avoid hot or spicy foods until you feel better.
Avoid stressful situations
Strong mental and psychological stress weakens the body's defenses. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, redness of the tip of the tongue indicates stress or overwork.
Contact your doctor on time
If cracks and ulcers on your tongue do not heal, be sure to consult a general practitioner or dentist for an examination.
Treatment of folded (scrotal) tongue
The anomaly usually does not bother its owners, however, sometimes they complain about its appearance: cracks.
A folded (scrotal) tongue requires especially careful care. Because food residues may be trapped in the folds. Because of this, bad breath occurs, as well as accompanying unpleasant symptoms: burning and inflammation.
In addition, the grooves may bother people who have suffered acute infections or surgical interventions. The reasons in this case are also clear: the overall tissue reaction in the body decreases, and the sensitivity of the surface of the folded tongue increases significantly. Therefore, it reacts painfully to chemical irritants and drugs.
If the patient does not properly care for the diseased organ, then the inflammatory processes can drag on, and this is a very favorable place for the development of fungal infections.
The dentist treats this pathology. It is he who will select oral care.
Sometimes a folded tongue requires surgery. This happens in cases where the organ is too enlarged and interferes with the patient. The operation involves excision of part of it.
So, in general, drugs are used to eliminate related problems:
- Fungal and bacterial diseases: anti-inflammatory, antifungal drugs, immunocorrectors, antiseptic treatment.
- Candidiasis: clotrimazole cream, shading with aniline dyes, 10% sodium borate solution in glycerin.
- Painful sensations: antiseptic rinses, mouth baths with citral solution, application of medications with anesthesin.
Treatment
A folded tongue can be a separate disease, or it can be a symptom of a serious chronic illness. Therefore, the treatment of this pathology may differ in different patients.
As a rule, if the folded tongue does not bother the patient in any way, then he is not given any specific treatment. Typically, such people are only advised to pay more attention to the hygienic care of their tongue, not allowing food debris to accumulate in the tongue folds.
However, if the disease becomes complicated and develops into glossitis, then treatment becomes necessary.
If the signs of scrotal inflammation of the tongue tissue are a manifestation of a general pathology in the body (for example, it is one of the symptoms of a disorder of the cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory or digestive systems), then the underlying ailment must be treated.
Drug treatment
The following measures are usually used in the treatment of glossitis:
- root cause control and comprehensive examination;
- anti-inflammatory treatment using antibiotics;
- corticosteroids for rapid relief of acute inflammation;
- use of antimycotics (to fight fungal infections);
- immunity-boosting drugs;
- rinsing and irrigating the mouth with herbal decoctions;
- local and general anesthesia using tablets and gels;
- sanitation of the oral cavity.
If glossitis bothers the patient as an aesthetic defect, laser treatment is often effective. At the same time, the folds seem to evaporate and smooth out, and the tongue itself shrinks and becomes more even.
Surgery
Surgical treatment is not often used for scrotal glossitis. It involves surgically suturing the grooves of the tongue. After the surgical stage, restorative treatment using laser and medications is used.
The postoperative period after such suturing usually passes quickly. In this case, it is recommended to maintain “speech rest”, a minimum of chewing movements and gentle diet therapy.
After treatment for a folded tongue, it is important for the patient to reduce all risk factors as much as possible:
- eliminate alcohol and smoking;
- monitor oral hygiene;
- treat dental ailments in a timely manner;
- use high-quality fillings.
Folded tongue is not a serious illness, and the prognosis for patients is quite favorable. For such people, it is enough to be attentive to oral hygiene, paying special attention to cleaning the tongue. Symptoms that indicate an infection or other complications in the mouth should cause concern. Then it is unacceptable to refuse to contact specialists. Otherwise, the quality of life of people with this language anomaly is high enough to live long and joyfully.
Sources used:
- Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. —St. Louis: Mosby, 2007.
- Rationale for the prevention of cancer of the oral mucosa, tongue, lip / Bulyakov R. T., Sh. Kh. Gantsev and O. A. Gulyaeva. — M.: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
- Guide to practical dentistry: monograph. / L. Baum, R.V. Phillips, M.R. Lund. — M.: Medicine
- National Library of Medicine (USA)
Features of care
If you have this pathology, you do not need to self-medicate; careful care and supervision by a specialist are required. In general, you should take care of your oral cavity as follows:
- general oral hygiene;
- rinsing;
- if the patient uses removable dentures, they should also be thoroughly cleaned after eating;
- it is necessary to avoid spicy, salty food, it should not be too hot or cold;
- giving up bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
- You need to brush your teeth with a special paste;
- the toothbrush should be made of synthetic materials: this will help avoid damage;
- regular visits to the dentist.
Such careful care will help neutralize the oral cavity from bacteria, which will prevent their proliferation and the occurrence of associated infections.
Author:
Diseases that cause painful cracks in the tongue
Painful cracks in the tongue can be a manifestation of common fungal, viral, or bacterial infections.
Oral candidiasis
Fungal infection of the mouth, or thrush, is one of the most common causes of cracked tongue and lips. The disease often occurs in children. In adults, oral candidiasis is usually observed with weakened immunity. Predisposing diseases are diabetes mellitus, various viral infections, and neoplasms in the oral cavity.
Symptoms of candidiasis are a pronounced white coating in the mouth, pain and burning, increased salivation. If the disease does not go away, you should consult a doctor and get tested for diabetes.
Stomatitis and mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are often accompanied by cracks. The most common oral ulcer is aphthous stomatitis.
Ulcers with this disease are usually small, round or oval, and painful. Ulceration with stomatitis often affects the inner surface of the cheeks and the lower part of the tongue.
Under the influence of what factors do tongue diseases develop?
Tongue diseases can occur in humans due to many factors:
- Pathogenic fungi, viruses and bacteria that accumulate in dental plaque or enter the body through the “gate of infection” - the oral cavity.
- Injuries caused to teeth by careless chewing of food, spicy and hard foods, uncomfortable dentures, or a splintered tooth.
- Contact with food allergens.
- Vitamin deficiency or lack of elements necessary to maintain healthy tongue tissue.
- Dehydration due to illness or improper drinking regimen.
- Unhealthy lifestyle with bad habits.
- Metabolic disorders in the body.
- Blood supply defects.
- Nervous regulation disorder.
- Neoplasms.
- Congenital developmental anomalies.
- Accumulation of toxins and metabolic products in tissues due to kidney or liver dysfunction.
- Inflammatory diseases in the digestive and respiratory organs.
- Development of dysbacteriosis.
Types of folds on the tongue
Natural folds in the tongue are classified based on their location and direction. So, there are several types of grooves on the organ:
- fringed, which are located under the tongue,
- longitudinal,
- transverse.
The main longitudinal (vartical) fold extends from the tip to the midline of the tongue. It is the most noticeable and deep. On the lower surface of the organ there are so-called fringed folds - thus forming a system of grooves on the tongue.
Geographical language and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome
Quite often, the anomaly in question becomes one of the consequences of such a pathology as geographic tongue. Uneven reddish or grayish spots appear on the surface of the organ, forming a bizarre pattern reminiscent of a geographical map. The disease is inflammatory-dystrophic in nature, is not at all contagious and can be easily treated in case of exacerbation of inflammation - the main thing is not to delay it.
This is what geographic language looks like
As for Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, this phenomenon is accompanied by severe swelling of the lips and tongue, paroxysmal paralysis of the facial nerve. Here, scrotal tongue is also one of the common accompanying symptoms - it is diagnosed in approximately 50% of cases. The pathology is a fairly rare neurological disorder. The disease is transmitted genetically, and can also be the result of a severe allergic reaction, including to antibiotics, or malfunctions of the nervous and endocrine systems.
How is the disease diagnosed?
First of all, if grooves appear on the tongue or if it increases in size, you should contact your dentist. He will conduct a visual examination of your mouth. At this stage, it is important to identify the type of pathology and exclude (or confirm) diagnoses in which the same phenomena may be observed.
If a concomitant disease is suspected, the dentist refers the patient to the appropriate specialist - rheumatologist, venereologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, etc. – for additional examination.
