BALD TONGUE

                             BALD TONGUE 

                                                            related to pernicious anemia 

 Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition in which the body cannot make healthy red blood cells because it does not have enough vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is found in food, but is not absorbed properly in some individuals. The usual cause is a failure to produce intrinsic factor (IF), a protein that is made in the stomach or produced in the gastric mucosa. The IF is responsible for the transportation of B12 across the intestinal mucosa. In some individuals, an autoimmune response causes a lack of intrinsic factor. There appears to be a genetic propensity linked to the inability of the stomach to produce IF in pernicious anemia. In this case, the immune system makes antibodies or proteins that attack the individual's tissues.

• Pale oral mucous membranes
• Ulceration of oral tissues
• Smooth, beefy-red tongue with soreness