Abstract
Geographic tongue, also known as benign migratory glossitis, is a common and benign
condition characterized by distinct features on the tongue's surface. Typically, it
affects the tip, lateral borders, and dorsum of the tongue, with occasional extension
to the ventral surface. Indeed, geographic tongue commonly starts in childhood and
has a global prevalence estimated at around 1 to 2.5% of the general population. In
the pediatric population, the prevalence ranges from 0.37 to 14.3%, indicating that
it can vary significantly among different age groups. The age group of 20 to 29 years
seems to have the highest prevalence, with approximately 39.4% of individuals affected
by geographic tongue. This suggests a peak incidence during early adulthood. This
case report explores the potential benefits of homeopathic medicines in management
of geographic tongue. A 17-year-old adolescent girl experiencing whitish discoloration
of the tongue accompanied by intense burning sensation with history of recurrent tonsillitis
and increased sweating in her palms and soles since early childhood presented in the
OPD of Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Shimla. Upon examination of her
oral cavity, white patches were observed on her tongue, which did not resolve despite
trying various medications. The primary diagnosis was geographic tongue, confirmed
by physical examination. Following homeopathic treatment, the patient experienced
marked improvement in symptomatology, including relief from the burning sensation,
and the lesion from the tongue completely disappeared. This evidence-based case report
highlights the potential beneficial role of homeopathy in the treatment of geographic
tongue.
Keywords case report - homeopathy - individualized homeopathic medicine - geographic tongue
