What is a scarlet tongue?
The tongue takes on a characteristic coloration in the presence of scarlet fever. After being initially covered with white coatings, it presents itself red and shiny after these coatings have worn off. It also looks as if the scarlet tongue has lots of small pimples.
These are the taste buds that protrude due to the infection. Because of its characteristic coloring, the scarlet tongue is also called raspberry or strawberry tongue. It can easily be confused with the raspberry tongue, which is caused by the Kawasaki syndrome (a disease of the lymph nodes). General information about the disease can be found here: Scarlet fever
Cause of a scarlet tongue
The cause of the scarlet tongue is the infection with the scarlet pathogens. It is caused by the bacterial species streptococci. These bacteria settle particularly gladly in the throat, neck and mouth area.
There they lead to a strong inflammatory reaction, which is why the throat and neck are painfully reddened. Inflammation also occurs in the tongue. The tongue consists almost exclusively of muscles, on which the mucous membrane with its taste buds is located.
If the tongue is now inflamed, it swells up a little and, as with any inflammation, pain and redness occur. Overheating of the tongue is also possible. However, this is often not noticeable in scarlet fever.
Due to the swelling of the tongue, the taste buds are also pressed outwards, which is why they appear so conspicuous. Usually the pathogens are also found on the taste buds themselves. These also swell and thus become even more prominent.
The scarlet tongue is also known as raspberry or strawberry tongue. This is due to its partly deep red color and the protrusion of the taste buds, which reminds of a fruit. Other possible causes for a raspberry tongue can be the following:
- The Measles
- One pellagra (too few vitamins in case of malnutrition)
- The Kawasaki syndrome (a lymph node disease)
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