Your body will frequently give you subtle cues when something is wrong. It’s challenging because if you don’t know what to watch out for, you might miss these red flags until the problem gets worse. An underlying medical condition may show symptoms on your tongue. The state of your tongue can tell a lot about your general health, even if you are not aware of it.
When talking about our physical well-being, we rarely take our tongues into account. A different health issue, however, could be signaled by changes in the way your tongue feels and appears.
Others may be more serious, even though some issues are comparatively minor and easy to fix. If your tongue exhibits any of the following changes, you might want to contact your doctor.
A Strawberry Tongue.
A tongue that is swollen and more bumpy than usual is described by this name. Although occasionally it may appear white, the language will typically be red. Due to the bumps on the surface, it might resemble a strawberry or raspberry.
A strawberry tongue could be a sign of one of the following medical conditions.
Disease of Kawasaki. Specific arteries become irritated as a result of this illness. Most often, it affects children.
the disease yellow fever. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that can develop in a person with strep throat. It is particularly dangerous for kids between the ages of five and fifteen.
an adverse reaction to a drug or food. A swollen tongue could be brought on by an allergic reaction’s inflammatory effects.
shock from toxins syndrome. TSS is a rare side effect of using tampons or nasal packing. Usually, Staphylococcus aureus is the culprit. However, other microbes can also be held accountable.
an absence of vitamin B12. If you do not consume enough vitamin B12 in your diet, it could lead to strawberry tongue.
MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome) in children. Children who have COVID-19 infection may develop this unusual condition. Even though most children with COVID-19 have a mild or asymptomatic illness, there are reports that some children may experience this consequence, which can be severe and dangerous.
A doctor who can determine the underlying cause should be consulted if you have a strawberry tongue. Some of these conditions, such as a B12 deficiency, are easily treated. However, some, such as toxic shock syndrome, are much more serious than others.
If you think you may have toxic shock syndrome or are having a severe allergic reaction, you should get emergency medical help right away.
Black Tongue With Hair.
Despite its potentially frightening appearance, a black, hairy tongue is a harmless condition. Most of the time, it is brief and harmless. The black, hairy appearance of the tongue is due to the papillae, which are tiny projections on its surface.
But the papillae in question are longer than usual. This suggests that they can easily capture items like cigarettes, food, yeast, and bacteria. Your sense of taste may be slightly hampered, and it may also contribute to bad breath.
The causes or contributing factors of the black hairy tongue may include:.
changes to the typical mouth bacteria or yeast composition after taking antibiotics.
oral health problems.
(Xerostomia) A dry mouth.
frequent use of mouthwashes containing irritant-containing oxidizing agents, such as peroxide.
taking nicotine.
excessive coffee or black tea intake.
drinking too much alcohol.
eating bland food that makes it challenging to get dead skin cells off of your tongue.
In most cases, a solution can be found by removing all potential causes and practicing good dental hygiene. Visit your doctor, of course, if you have any concerns, particularly if the condition persists despite improved oral hygiene.
Plaque on your tongue in white.
The papillae on your tongue enlarge and this happens. Because of dirt, bacteria, and dead cells wedged between the papillae, the tongue may appear to be covered in white matter. The disorder is also known as inflammation or papillae hypertrophy. Any of the aforementioned causes could be:.
oral health problems.
mouth pain.
Dehydration.
smoking or using tobacco.
excessive alcohol consumption.
mechanical discomfort brought on by cutting tooth edges or dental devices; a low-roughage diet (consisting primarily of soft or mashed foods).
Fever.
This could be a yeast infection in the mouth or something more serious. If you see a lot of white plaque on your tongue, see a doctor.
Tongue of the Land.
This happens when the reddish regions of the tongue have uniform, white borders. This gives it a map-like pattern, hence the name.
The geographic tongue has no long-term negative health effects. Most people do not have symptoms, and it is not contagious. Although most cases don’t require treatment, some people may experience burning or tingling on their tongues.
People with psoriasis Reiter’s Syndrome are more likely to have geographical tongues. Women who use hormonal contraception are also more likely to have it. Additional causes could include diabetes, allergies, emotional stress, or vitamin deficiencies like those in zinc, iron, folic acid, or vitamins B6 and B12.
Geographic tongue can come and go, or it can linger for days, weeks, or even years. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
Blisters.
If blisters develop on your tongue and do not disappear, you should see a doctor. They might represent oral cancer. Additional indicators of oral cancer include lumps or growths in the mouth, a patch of skin that is unusually pale or reddish, and skin patches.
Speaking difficulties, loose teeth, issues with the face or neck, and numbness.
Even if you are symptom-free, you should check your tongue. The sooner you receive a diagnosis if it’s a cancerous sign, the better your chances are of beating it.
Pay attention to the condition of your tongue.
Your tongue and mouth may exhibit symptoms from a variety of medical conditions. While others might be fatal, some might be minor and easily treated.
If you notice any changes in the feel or appearance of your tongue, consult your doctor right away.
