Kate McKinnon Shares Humor in Geographic Tongue Diagnosis

Los Angeles, CA – Kate McKinnon, the former Saturday Night Live star, recently opened up about her diagnosis of geographic tongue during an interview. Last week, she shared a lighthearted story about the rare yet benign condition that affects the surface of her tongue.

McKinnon explained that she took a photo of her tongue and sent it to a fellow actor who also has the same condition. “Your tongue sheds in patches and looks like an atlas, hence the name ‘geographic tongue,’” McKinnon said. She humorously noted, “It’s gross,” but emphasized that she and her friend embrace their condition with pride.

“We brag about how geographic we are on any given day. Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this in a magazine,” she added with a laugh.

According to medical sources, geographic tongue is an inflammatory condition that is harmless but can affect some people’s sensitivity to certain foods like spices or sweets. It occurs when areas of the tongue lack the tiny, pinkish-white bumps known as papillae, leading to red patches that resemble a map. Estimates suggest that only 1 to 2.5 percent of the population has this condition.

Despite her unique diagnosis, McKinnon has continued to thrive in her career. She was one of the longest-running female cast members on SNL, having joined during Season 37 and concluding her run at the end of Season 47. In addition to her acting career, she’s also a children’s author. Her second children’s book is set to be released on Sept. 30.

Currently, McKinnon is starring in “The Roses,” a contemporary interpretation of the 1989 film “The War of the Roses,” which premiered on Aug. 29.