Glossitis

When the papillae are lost, the surface of the tongue may appear bald and shiny - a condition called glossitis. Usually a benign condition, it may change in size, location, and appearance, which is then termed benign migratory glossitis or geographic tongue. Glossitis may be associated with a number of disease processes and conditions: amyloidosis, celiac disease, chemical irritants, drug reactions, local infections (especially candidiasis), nutritional deficiencies (e.g., iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin), pernicious anemia, protein-calorie malnutrition, sarcoidosis, Sjögren syndrome, systemic infections (e.g., syphilis), and vesiculo-erosive diseases (e.g., pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome).