SNL Star Reveals Struggle with Disturbing Medical Condition
Kate McKinnon Opens Up About Her Unique Medical Condition
Discovering Geographic Tongue: Kate McKinnon’s Experience
Kate McKinnon, known for her remarkable run on “Saturday Night Live” and her role in the hit film “Barbie,” recently shared insights into a rare but benign medical condition she has been diagnosed with — geographic tongue. Speaking with El-Balad last week, McKinnon humorously recounted taking a photo of her tongue to share with an actor friend who also has the condition. She described geographic tongue as causing the tongue to shed in patches, creating a map-like appearance.
What Is Geographic Tongue?
According to Mayo Clinic, geographic tongue is an inflammatory condition affecting the surface of the tongue. Normally adorned with papillae, tiny pinkish-white bumps, a geographic tongue appears with missing papillae, resulting in red, patchy areas. These changes give the tongue its atlas-like look and might lead to heightened sensitivity to specific foods, such as spices, salt, or sweets. Nevertheless, it remains harmless and affects only about 1 to 2.5 percent of the population, as noted by the American Academy of Oral Medicine.
Kate McKinnon’s Career Thrives Despite Medical Condition
McKinnon’s condition hasn’t slowed down her illustrious career. As one of the longest-running female members of the “SNL” cast, she joined in Season 37 and remained until the end of Season 47. Post-“SNL,” McKinnon has ventured into writing, with her second children’s book, “Secrets of the Purple Pearl,” slated for release on September 30. Additionally, she stars in “The Roses,” a reimagining of the 1989 classic film “The War of the Roses,” released on August 29.
Connection and Community in Shared Experiences
Despite the unusual nature of her condition, McKinnon maintains a sense of humor, often joking with her friend about the “geographic” state of their tongues. While she acknowledges the oddity of discussing it in public, this shared experience offers them a unique camaraderie.
