Fissured tongue

[Sonatina453]

Can anyone advise me what to do about what is known as "fissured tongue"? I developed this about three months ago, and since have run the gamut of trying different things to try to cure it to no avail. Please tell me that this is not a permanent condition. It is very painful at times, and actually ruining my quality of life. I have not been able to get an appointment with a rheumatologist,( no one is accepting new patients, whether you have a referral or not) and I am not under a doctor's care at the moment.
Any advice or help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Cassi307]

My sympathy that you have to deal with this kind of discomfort. I am not familiar with this condition and had to look it up. Has your md said that this is Sjogren's related? Can you tell us more about the troublesome symptoms? Maybe someone here can give you input on how to handle the discomfort you are getting. I know that Biotene mouth wash helps my dry mouth but I am not sure if you can use this if your tongue is sore.

Can you tell us what part of the country you are from? Maybe someone will have suggestions for finding a rheumatologist.

[lighthouse33]

lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/fissured-tongue-10997.html

Causes And Treatment Of Fissured Tongue:

Causes:

Although, there is no benchmarked cause for procuring a fissured tongue, a large possibility could be food allergies. Its anatomical position also insinuates the side effects of irritants like hot and spicy foods, tobacco and alcohol. These burn and irritate the tongue intermittently leading to swelling and recurrent pain. Usually at nights, one may be burdened with 'Acid reflux? which pulls acid from the stomach deep into the throat and mouth, results in burning of the tongue.

Certain stressed out and anxious individuals have the tendency to chew on their tongue while they sleep. This inevitably damages the tongue and causes grooves. Rubbing the tongue against uneven or broken teeth also leads to furrowed tongues, a major source of pain.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome certainly isn?t identified as a common phenomenon, but if it occurs, the victim is susceptible to painful face, lips and tongue symptoms. Fissures over the tongue have proven to be a contrary effect of Melkersson-Rosenthal. Individuals inflicted with the fissures on the tongue experience a pain and inflammation due to lesions thereof.

A fissured tongue may be a strong indication of a yeast infection. Diabetic people too are prone to infections as opposed to the general population. Anaemia and vitamin deficiency are conditions that may serve as a catalyst to obtaining fissured tongues. Cancers or pre-cancer growths can develop in or on the tongue causing pain and swelling.

Orofacial granulomatosis, down syndrome and psoriasis (especially pustular psoriasis) are medical dilemmas which make victims more susceptible to developing these unsettling grooves.
Fissured tongue can be caused by an overgrowth of the unhealthy bacteria in the digestive tract.
Various studies have revealed that fissured tongues are genetic.

Treatment:

Patients should be encouraged to brush the top surface of their tongue to remove any debris that may cause irritation or infection when lodged between the grooves.

Doctors may administer the intra-lesional steroid injections to sober down the pain and dispersion.

Get your hands on some probiotics such as culturelle or acidophyllis in the capsule form. Open the capsule on your tongue and hold it there for about 10-15 seconds. Repeat this twice a day until the area has healed. After it heals, continue to just swallow the whole capsules 2 times a day.

Allow your problem to be evaluated by an ear, nose and throat physician (an otorhinologist) who will readily provide you with the most reliable remedies and preventive measures.
Diagnosis is usually made by clinical assessment. Biopsy is seldom necessary because of its characteristic diagnostic clinical appearance. Patients should also be assessed for possible associated conditions.