Pendleton, IN Dentist Discusses Strawberry Tongue
Strawberry tongue is a term that is used to describe a tongue that is swollen and has a bumpy appearance. In most cases, a strawberry tongue is not a condition on its own and is the symptom of another underlying condition.
When someone has a strawberry tongue, their tongue will appear red or white and will be slightly swollen. It is called strawberry tongue since the color and the bumps make it look somewhat like the flesh of a strawberry. Here are a few facts about strawberry tongue.
• A person with strawberry tongue will have a tongue that appears much bumpier than usual.
• It is often the symptom of a drug or food related allergy.
• The treatment of strawberry tongue will depend on the pre-existing condition.
Symptoms of Strawberry Tongue
A person with the condition may have a tongue that looks:
• Swollen or enlarged.
• Has red or white patches on it.
• Covered in small bumps.
The tongue may also feel irritated and cause pain. A person suffering from strawberry tongue may also experience other symptoms that are related to the underlying condition causing it.
What Causes Strawberry Tongue?
As mentioned, there is a variety of pre-existing condition that may cause the onset of a strawberry tongue. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Kawasaki disease
• Scarlett Fever
• Food or drug allergies
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
How is Strawberry Tongue Diagnosed?
When a person has a strawberry tongue, their doctor will likely ask them when they first noticed it and other questions regarding any symptoms the patient may have noticed. This will help them determine the underlying causes, however, other tests may be needed before making any final diagnoses.
How is Strawberry Tongue Treated?
As previously mentioned, the treatment of a strawberry tongue will depend entirely on the underlying cause. Here are a few of the treatments related to their causes.
• Kawasaki disease – Many doctors believe aspirin may help to reduce the inflammation associated with this condition.
• Scarlet fever – Most often treated with antibiotic therapies.
• Allergies – Typically, allergic reactions are treated with an injection of intravenous glucocorticoid, antihistamine or epinephrine.
• Toxic shock syndrome – Treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other medicines that are used to stabilize blood pressure.
• Vitamin deficiency – This is typically treated with supplements or dietary changes. In some cases, injections may be used to resolve the deficiency.
If you have any questions for your Pendleton, IN dentist, please call Family Dental of Pendleton at (765) 778-7558.
