Strawberry tongue is a time period for a swollen, bumpy tongue. It isn’t a well being situation however slightly a symptom of one other illness.
Some well being circumstances that may result in strawberry tongue embody bacterial infections, viral infections, and Kawasaki illness.
This text explains the signs, causes, and therapy of a strawberry tongue.
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Strawberry Tongue Signs
Strawberry tongue normally has the next signs:
- Tongue rash
- Swollen tongue
- Enhance in tongue dimension
- Small bumps on the tongue that seem like strawberry seeds
- Redness on the tongue
As a result of strawberry tongue signifies a medical situation, for those who expertise these signs, contact a well being care supplier for a analysis.
Causes of Strawberry Tongue
Bacterial or viral infections and Kawasaki illness are frequent causes of strawberry tongue.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a bacterial an infection brought on by group A streptococcus. Along with strawberry tongue, scarlet fever additionally causes fever, sore throat, and a pink rash.
Poisonous shock syndrome
Poisonous Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a bacterial an infection brought on by Streptococcus (streptococcus), StaphylococcusAnd Clostridium micro organism. TSS is manifested by excessive fever, headache, muscle aches, gastrointestinal signs and, extra not often, a strawberry tongue. It’s related to the usage of tampons, however can happen in anybody, no matter gender and age.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is a viral illness (not often deadly) transmitted by mosquitoes. Signs embody headache, fever, jaundice (yellow pores and skin), muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and strawberry tongue.
Kawasaki illness
Kawasaki illness is an acute sickness brought on by fever in younger kids. This normally ends in a strawberry tongue together with different signs, equivalent to fever, rash, swelling of the fingers and toes, pink eyes, and irritation of the mouth, lips, and throat.
Recurrent toxin-induced perianal erythema
Toxin-mediated recurrent perianal erythema is a bacterial an infection brought on by Streptococcus. This an infection is extra frequent in younger adults. Signs embody fever, strawberry tongue, and pink, scaly fingers.
Recalcitrant erythematous desquamating dysfunction
Recalcitrant erythematous desquamating dysfunction is a staphylococcal bacterial an infection much like TSS. Its signs embody fever, hypotension (low blood strain), and strawberry tongue.
Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a zoonotic bacterial an infection present in farmed and wild animals, which may be transmitted to people by way of contamination of meals and water. Signs embody fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and typically strawberry tongue.
Meals or drug allergic reactions
You will get strawberry tongue from a drugs or meals allergy. This normally presents with different allergy signs, equivalent to congestion, itching, and drainage.
Tips on how to Deal with Strawberry Tongue
Tips on how to deal with strawberry tongue will depend on the trigger. Some therapies might contain:
Sometimes, the signs additionally go away when the situation inflicting strawberry tongue resolves.
Problems and Danger Components Related to Strawberry Tongue
Strawberry tongue doesn’t current a danger in itself. Nonetheless, many problems are related to the circumstances that trigger it.
Bacterial infections can result in a extra critical an infection referred to as sepsis (when an an infection travels by way of the bloodstream). Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency leading to organ dysfunction, amputation and loss of life.
With yellow fever, some individuals will develop extreme sickness, resulting in shock and organ failure. The mortality charge from critical ailments is between 30 and 60%.
Problems of Kawasaki illness embody harm to the coronary (coronary heart) arteries. As much as 1 / 4 of kids with Kawasaki illness will develop coronary heart problems. When the coronary artery is weakened, it will increase the danger of aneurysms.
There’s all the time a danger of a critical allergic response referred to as anaphylaxis, a significant emergency. Signs of anaphylaxis embody issue respiratory, tightness within the throat, swelling, issue talking, dizziness, and feeling sad.
Are there any exams to diagnose the reason for strawberry tongue?
As with therapy, the exams that accompany a analysis rely on the trigger suspected by a well being care supplier. Assessments of blood and fluid samples can normally determine bacterial and viral infections.
There isn’t any definitive check to diagnose Kawasaki illness. As an alternative, a well being care supplier will diagnose this situation by way of a bodily examination and rule out different potential causes.
They will additionally diagnose allergic reactions by way of an allergy check or by eliminating the suspected allergen and monitoring for decision of signs.
When to See a Well being Care Supplier
Since many critical well being circumstances could cause strawberry tongue, it’s all the time finest to seek the advice of a medical skilled when experiencing these tongue signs. Search instant medical consideration for those who discover any of the next:
These might point out a extra critical situation, equivalent to sepsis or anaphylaxis.
Abstract
Strawberry tongue is a swollen, pink, bumpy tongue that appears like a strawberry. Many components, together with bacterial and viral infections and Kawasaki illness, could cause this symptom. Eliminating strawberry tongue includes treating the underlying trigger. Since some critical well being circumstances could cause strawberry tongue, it’s best to all the time see a well being care supplier for an correct analysis and therapy.
