Strawberry tongue

Background

• Hypertrophied lingual papillae,initially with white exudate
• Common causes:
  • Scarlet fever
  • Kawasaki disease

Clinical Features

Red "strawberry tongue" in a patient with scarlet fever.

Distinct strawberry tongue with "parched" lips as seen in a young child with Kawasaki disease.

• Red "strawberry" tongue

Strawberry tongue in a patient with Kawasaki disease.

Differential Diagnosis

Tongue diagnoses

• Tongue laceration
• Strawberry tongue
• Black hairy tongue
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush)
• Hairy Oral Leukoplakia
• Tongue swelling
  • Trauma
  • Angioedema
    • Hereditary
    • Allergic (ACE)
    • Idiopathic

Management

• Based on underlying cause

Disposition

• Based on underlying cause

See Also

• Tongue Diagnoses