What is a Strawberry tongue ?

A big, swollen, red tongue is a common finding in patients. What is this condition called as and why is it such a common finding? Let’s find out!

This is called “strawberry tongue”. It  is a big, red, swollen tongue which looks like a strawberry and can be due to any underlying disease or disorder in the body. The taste buds become enlarged and the tongue appears bumpy. 

What are the causes of a strawberry tongue ? 

The numerous causes are as follows – 

1. Toxic shock syndrome : a life threatening disease in which one can have multiple symptoms like high fever, headache , diarrhoea , vomiting and weakness and one of the symptoms is strawberry tongue. Risk factors include recent surgery, open wounds and the use of superabsorbent tampons. 
2. Scarlet fever: a sore throat which is ill managed or left untreated  for a long time. It’s a bacterial infection with multiple symptoms like strawberry tongue, high fever, headache, generalised body rashes and a flushed face. Commonly occurs in children of the age range 5 – 15 years. 
3. Deficiency of vitamins : Low level of vitamins in the body can be a causative factor especially vitamin B-12 or folate . Symptoms like weakness, fatigue are visible along with glossitis in which a swollen smooth tongue can be seen similar to strawberry tongues. 
4. Allergic to specific food items : Food allergy can cause you strawberry tongue and can lead to difficulty in breathing, rashes on the body and watering of eyes. 
5. Kawasaki disease : this is a rare type of disease which occurs commonly in children at any age. It’s symptoms involve primarily inflammation of arteries along with strawberry tongues. Other symptoms involved are high fever , body rashes , redness of eyes and swelling in hands and feets.

Treatment strategies for the various causes of strawberry tongue – 

1. In Toxic shock syndrome you should get as much fluid in your body as you can and should get antibiotic treatment which can help to relieve the infection and the symptoms related to it. 
2. For Vitamin B 12 deficiencies one needs to include a rich vitamin diet which can help in improving the levels of this nutrient and thus can help in treating all the symptoms related to it. 
3. Allergies can be controlled by taking antihistamines or steroids injections for severe cases. 

Therefore, strawberry tongue is not a disease itself but a symptom or a warning sign to know that there’s something wrong going on in the body and we need to take immediate action. Moreover, your mouth is a gateway to your body so anything wrong going on in the body can be very well seen and felt in our mouths, and if you do find some abnormality then consult your dentist at the earliest or simply book your appointment at TODAYS DENTAL and get your treatment done today.