A cracked tongue may indicate that you have a condition called scrotal tongue. Other names for a scrotal tongue include furrowed tongue, lingua fissurata, lingua plicata, lingua scrotalis, plicated tongue or grooved tongue. Most people who have scrotal tongue are asymptomatic. However, those who do have symptoms present with cracks, swelling, blisters, pain, bad breath and fungal infections.
Causes
According to the Colgate World of Care website, scrotal tongue affects 1 to 5 percent of the US population, but as much as 21 percent of the worldwide population. Although people are usually born with this condition, it may get more noticeable as you age. Scrotal tongue may develop due to infection or malnutrition. People with certain health conditions often have scrotal tongue, such as with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, which is a neurological disorder, Down syndrome and benign migratory glossitis, or geographic tongue, a condition characterized by red, smooth, and irregular patches on the tongue's surface.
Appearance
Often, people who have scrotal tongue do not know it until their dentist tells them. The dentist diagnoses scrotal tongue based on appearance. In scrotal tongue, cracks or grooves develop in the tongue, making it look wrinkled. There can be a single crack down the middle of the tongue with cracks branching from it or the cracks can be randomly dispersed. People diagnosed with scrotal tongue report tongue swelling and occasional blisters on the tongue.
Pain
In most cases, scrotal tongue does not cause any pain or discomfort. Although rare, if the cracks in the tongue get deep enough, eating spicy or acidic foods, such as vinegar or salt, can cause a burning sensation. People diagnosed with scrotal tongue who do experience pain report that the pain comes and goes and describe occasionally feeling "pins and needles" on the tongue.
Bad Breath and Fungal Infections
If the cracks in the tongue get deep enough, colonies of bacteria or debris from food may harbor in the cracks. This can result in a condition called halitosis, or bad breath. Fungal infections, such as oral thrush, can also develop. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of oral thrush include creamy, white lesions on your tongue and in your mouth, a cottony feeling in your mouth, loss of taste and pain. If you suspect oral thrush, see your doctor because you might require anti-fungal medication.
Prevention/Solution
Unfortunately, scrotal tongue can not be prevented and it is a lifelong condition. However, you can manage the symptoms of scrotal tongue and prevent complications. If certain foods bother your tongue, avoid them. Practice good hygiene by cleaning your tongue daily with a tongue scraper. Avoid tobacco and alcohol because they can further irritate your tongue. Pre-cancerous or cancerous growths can develop on the tongue, causing pain and swelling. If you have not already done so, have your tongue evaluated by a physician to rule out cancer and other conditions.
