Red coating on the tongue
Red plaque on the tongue is the formation of layers on the mucous surface of the tongue that have a red tint, of varying density, localization and mobility. A change in the color of the tongue indicates the onset of the disease. Most often, the tongue becomes red when the body temperature rises. Although there are other reasons for the appearance of a characteristic color plaque.
Content:
- Causes of red plaque on the tongue
- Symptoms of red plaque on the tongue
- Treatment of red plaque in the tongue
Causes of red plaque on the tongue
Among the reasons leading to the formation of red overlays in the language are the following:
- When the tongue is very red and plaque forms over its entire surface, a significant increase in body temperature and even fever can be suspected.
- When the tongue turns red, but the consistency of the plaque remains dry, then the cause of this condition may be inflammation of the substance of the brain or its membranes. Inflammatory processes in the intestines, stomach and lungs lead to the same condition.
- When the tongue turns red and shines at the same time, this indicates that the human body temperature has reached critical values.
- When the plaque acquires a raspberry color, then you can suspect serious infections, in particular, scarlet fever and sore throat. With scarlet fever, the papillae of the tongue protrude above its surface. Pneumonia is another reason for the color of the tongue to be crimson.
- Plaque takes on a dark red color when a person suffers from kidney infections. The same is observed when the body is poisoned with various poisonous substances.
- Burgundy plaque can signal the development of influenza or measles.
- If a red plaque is localized at the tip of the tongue, then this may signal diseases of the rectum or sigmoid colon, uterus or bladder. That is, the organs located in the pelvic region.
- The appearance of an uneven red plaque may indicate an allergy. This language can be observed especially often in childhood.
- Eating food containing dyes can turn the plaque on the tongue red.
- Injuries to the tongue cause it to turn red. These can be organ bites, mechanical damage from lollipops or other foreign objects.
- A burn of the tongue, both chemical and thermal, will inevitably lead to reddening of the plaque on the tongue and the organ itself as a whole.
- If red spots form on the tongue with a blue coating on top, then it is possible that a person develops Kaposi's sarcoma.
- Anemia is another reason for the appearance of a crane plaque on the tongue, while the organ becomes unnaturally pale.
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Multiple tartar and extensive tooth decay can result in red deposits on the tongue.
- Bad habits are an equally common cause of the appearance of red plaque.
- Infection of a person with parasites can lead to the fact that the tongue becomes covered with a red coating.
- Any form of glossitis can result in red overlays.
Symptoms of red plaque on the tongue
A red plaque that forms on the tongue is most often a symptom of a specific disease.
It can be determined by additional features that characterize the layers of red:
- The density of education. The denser and thicker the plaque, the more serious the disease that caused it.
- Plaque location. This makes it possible to judge which organ was attacked. Most often, the layers located in the center of the tongue speak of a spleen disease, at the root - about problems with the intestines, on the sides - about the pathology of the liver or gallbladder.
- It is also worth paying attention to the nature of the plaque and the state of the tongue itself. Overlays can be oily or dry, smooth or embossed, matte or shiny. Language for various diseases tends to change shape.
- It is important to determine whether plaque is easy to remove and how quickly it re-forms.
Treatment of red plaque in the tongue
The success of eliminating red plaque in the language directly depends on the accuracy of determining the cause that caused it. Treatment is almost always required, with the exception of cases when plaque is formed due to the ingestion of foods containing dyes.
If the plaque is formed as a result of problems such as: glossitis, herpes, stomatitis, then a dentist will deal with the treatment. The patient is most often shown local treatment in the form of rinsing the mouth with various antiseptic solutions. The application of ointments with disinfecting and wound healing properties is recommended. In some cases, consultation of a therapist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist and oncologist is required. Do not self-medicate, even if the plaque is very slight. The therapeutic regimen must be determined by the doctor. Indeed, sometimes under a small area of red plaque on the tongue, serious cancer can be hidden. In some cases, even surgery is required, which is why it is so important not to waste time.
It is important to revise your diet, exclude salty, spicy and fried foods from it. This will help improve the digestive tract and get rid of red plaque on the tongue as soon as possible. The same goes for bad habits, in particular alcohol and smoking.
If the cause of the appearance of red plaque is an allergy, then a person needs to contact an allergist and establish an irritating factor. The doctor will conduct the necessary research and prescribe antihistamines.
Particular attention should be paid to the appearance of red plaque on the tongue in childhood. This can be the only reaction to the introduction of complementary foods, signaling that the food is not absorbed by the baby's body and requires replacement. In preschool age, a reddened tongue is a sign of many diseases, ranging from the usual acute respiratory infections to scarlet fever and measles. Treatment should be carried out by a pediatrician, self-therapy can only aggravate the child's condition.
The author of the article: Gorshenina Elena Ivanovna | Gastroenterologist
Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Russian State Medical University named after N. I. Pirogova (2005). Postgraduate studies in the specialty "Gastroenterology" - educational and scientific medical center.
