Strawberry tongue is a red and bumpy tongue caused by inflammation of the taste buds and associated with scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and Kawasaki disease. It should be differentiated from other causes of tongue inflammation, such as vitamin deficiencies.
Strawberry tongue is a physical exam in which the upper surface of a patient’s tongue has a distinct red discoloration and characteristic bumpy appearance due to inflammation of the taste buds. This condition is most closely associated with scarlet fever, a childhood disease caused by a certain type of bacteria. Toxic shock syndrome, another bacterial infection, is also associated with this tongue abnormality. Kawasaki disease is another cause of the symptom. Strawberry tongue should be differentiated from other conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, which can also cause tongue inflammation.
The appearance of strawberry tongue is characterized by a bright red discoloration of the tongue surface. It is also associated with a change in the texture of the language; the surface of the tongue becomes more bumpy because the inflammation increases the size of the taste buds. Many people describe this find as a strawberry due to the similarities in color and texture between the tongue and the fruit. This condition needs to be differentiated, of course, from other causes of tongue staining, such as eating red candy or a red popsicle.
Having this tongue condition is most closely linked to a childhood disease called scarlet fever. This disease is caused by the infection of bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. People who have scarlet fever also experience symptoms such as fever, chills, a sandpaper-like rash, and a sore throat. It can be treated with antibiotics.
Other bacterial infections can also be associated with strawberry tongue. One is toxic shock syndrome, a disease that can be caused by the bacterial species Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. This syndrome can be life-threatening, causing symptoms such as fever, low blood pressure, and skin rashes.
Another cause of strawberry tongue in children is Kawasaki syndrome, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. It causes additional symptoms such as skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, eye inflammation, and generalized redness and swelling of the mouth and nose. Recognizing and treating this infection is crucial because it can have side effects such as the development of coronary artery aneurysms, which can be fatal.
Some other causes of tongue inflammation can mimic strawberry tongue. For example, vitamin deficiencies such as a lack of vitamin B12 in the diet can cause the tongue to become red and inflamed, a condition called glossitis. Vitamin deficiencies do not typically cause inflammation of the taste buds, but they can cause erosion and irritation of the corners of the lips.
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