Other Names:
Angular Stomatitis, Geographic Tongue

Symptoms:
Cracks appear in the corners of the mouth and in the (nasolabial) corners of the nose. On the top and sides of the tongue are irregular, denuded areas that appear very smooth. Geographic tongue is not painful, and the sense of taste may, or may not, be affected.

Cause:



Treatment:
This is a nutritional problem.

• The cracks are caused by a vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency.

• The geographic tongue means you are not absorbing B3, B6, B5, B12, folic acid, or zinc properly. The cause is frequently malabsorption from celiac disease-like changes in the small intestine.

• Do a series of pulse tests (which see) to determine the foods you may be allergic to. Avoid those allergens; take supplementary vitamins and minerals, especially B2; the entire B complex; and zinc. Also take betaine HCL before each meal.