Geographic tongue and atopy: is there an association?

Abstract

Objective: this systematic literature review aimed to find data to clarify a controversy about the association between geographic tongue and atopic diseases/atopy. With emphasis on the relationship between these conditions. Material and Methods: data extracted include information on age and sex, family and personal history of atopy, geographic tongue prevalence, immunoglobulin E (IgE) serum levels, and skin tests. Results: 08 articles were selected and read in full text and information in articles used in this study. During a review, there was difficulty in standardizing the findings due to lack of details in the diagnosis of atopy and geographic tongue; and the lack of separate analysis of the conditions of asthma, rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. Limitation: low number of publications on the subject. Conclusion: based on the literature, more data are available to confirm the relationship between geographic tongue, atopic diseases / atopy, new ones with larger sample sizes, adequate diagnosis of atopy / atopic diseases and geographic tongue, IgE serum levels determined simultaneously oral examination and skin tests.