We use metaphors to describe some parts of the human body like cherry lips, eagle eyes etc. However, strawberry tongue is not a metaphor, rather it’s a name given to an ailment or a medical condition when the tongue gets swollen, bumpy and turns red like a strawberry. There are many underlying reasons for a strawberry tongue and hence when the tongue turns red one should immediately consult a doctor. Occasionally the tongue might even turn white before turning into strawberry red in colour.

What gives rise to strawberry tongue

Vitamin deficiency – Deficiency of vitamin B-12 and folate can give rise to strawberry tongue. It can get accompanied with symptoms like fatigue, weakness, problems in balancing oneself, difficulties in memory etc. 

Allergies – People can get allergies from food or drugs. Apart from strawberry tongue, other symptoms are rashes, difficulty in breathing, scratchy mouth, and itchy watery eyes during allergies.

Scarlet fever – It’s a bacterial illness. In this fever people’s tongue mostly turns white before turning into red. Apart from these symptoms, people with scarlet fever may carry a red rash on the body, flushed face, sore throat, body temperature and headache. This fever affects children between 5 to 15 years. 

Toxic syndrome - As the name suggests, it’s a life-threatening disease which causes symptoms like vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, body aches, severe high fever, headache etc.. Strawberry tongue is one of the symptoms as well. This fever requires emergency medical help.

Kawasaki disease – This disease is mostly common in children. The disease has many symptoms like swelling in hands and feet, inflamed arteries, chapped lips, red eyes, rashes etc. Strawberry tongue is one of them.

Difficulties of people with strawberry tongue

This is a very irritating and painful condition to say the least. People suffering from it do not feel like eating or drinking because drinking, chewing or swallowing food is very difficult. Seeking doctor’s help is the only remedy as they would be able to find the root cause of the problem and provide medications for relief.