Geographic tongue--a manifestation of atopy

One hundred patients with geographic tongue have been studied for evidence of an association with atopy. There was a significantly high frequency of personal and/or family history of asthma, eczema and hay fever amongst the patients when compared to a control population. A raised total serum IgE( greater than or equal to 200 u/ml) was significantly more frequent in patients compared to a control population. These findings confirm the impression that in some patients geographic tongue is a sign of atopy.