Geographic tongue in a child with atopic background

A 3-year-old female child presented to the dermatology outpatient department with asymptomatic lesions on the tongue since 1 year. Her guardian also gave history of atopy in the form of recurrent allergic rhinitis and body dryness, but family history of atopy and similar lesions were negative. On examination, there were three well-defined depapillated smooth plaques coalescing to form a larger plaque with raised white margins present over the dorsum of the tongue [Figure 1]. Cutaneous examination showed multiple monomorphic, discrete, shiny, and hypopigmented papules of sizes 0.1–0.2 cm distributed over bilateral upper limbs with more predilections over the extensors on background of xerosis without erythema at the margins or hyperkeratosis [Figure 2]. KOH examination was done to rule out oral candidiasis, which was negative. Biopsy was not done because parents did not give the consent. A diagnosis of geographic tongue with atopic diathesis was made based on the history and clinical findings. Counseling was done regarding the benign nature of the condition and midpotency topical corticosteroid, emollient, and antihistamines were prescribed for lichen nitidus.

Close

Figure 1:

Note well-defined de-papillated smooth plaques with raised white margins present over the dorsum of the tongue.

Export to PPT

Close

Figure 2:

Multiple monomorphic, discrete, shiny, and hypopigmented papules distributed over the extensors.

Export to PPT