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Red coating on the tongue – this is the formation on the mucous surface of the tongue of layers that have a red tint, of different density, localization and mobility. A change in the color of the tongue indicates the occurrence of the disease. Most often, the tongue acquires a red tint with an increase in body temperature. Although there are other reasons for the appearance of a plaque of a characteristic color.
Causes of red plaque in the tongue
Among the reasons leading to the formation of red overlays in the tongue 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 becomes 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 occurring in the intestines, stomach and lungs lead to the same condition.
When the tongue turns red and at the same time shines, this indicates that the temperature of the human body has reached critical values.
When the plaque acquires a crimson color, serious infections can be suspected, in particular, scarlet fever and tonsillitis. With scarlet fever, additional papillae of the tongue protrude above its surface. Pneumonia is another reason for the crimson color of the tongue.
Plaque turns dark red when a person suffers from kidney infections. The same is observed when the body is poisoned by various toxic substances.
Burgundy plaque can signal the development of influenza or measles.
If a red plaque is localized on 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 red plaque, located unevenly, may be evidence of an allergy. Especially often such a language can be observed in childhood.
Eating food containing dyes can turn the existing coating on the tongue red.
Injuries to the tongue lead to the fact that it acquires a red tint. These can be bites of an organ, mechanical damage with 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, having 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 cranial coating on the tongue, while the organ becomes unnaturally pale.
Multiple tartar and spreading caries can cause red deposits to form on the tongue.
Bad habits are an equally common cause of red plaque.
Infection of a person with parasites can lead to the fact that the tongue is covered with a red coating.
Glossitis, flowing in any form, can lead to the formation of red overlays.
Symptoms of red plaque on the tongue
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 red layers:
The density of education. The denser and thicker the plaque, the more serious the disease that caused its appearance.
The location of the flight. This allows you to judge which organ was attacked. Most often, layers located in the center of the tongue speak of a disease of the spleen, 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 language itself. Overlays can be oily and dry, smooth and embossed, matte and shiny. The tongue in 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 on the tongue
The success of eliminating red plaque on the tongue directly depends on the accuracy of determining the cause that caused it. Treatment is required almost always, with the exception of cases when plaque is formed due to the ingestion of foods that have dyes in their composition.
If the plaque was formed as a result of such problems as: glossitis, herpes, stomatitis, then the 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. Recommend the imposition of applications of ointments with disinfecting and wound healing properties. In some cases, consultation with a general practitioner, cardiologist, gastroenterologist and oncologist is required. You should not self-medicate, even if the raid is quite insignificant. The therapeutic scheme should be determined by the doctor. After all, sometimes serious cancers can be hidden under a small area of red plaque on the tongue. In some cases, even surgical intervention is required, so it is important not to miss the time.
It is important to reconsider your diet, exclude salty, spicy and fried foods from it. This will help improve the gastrointestinal tract and get rid of red plaque on the tongue as soon as possible. The same applies to bad habits, in particular drinking and smoking.
If an allergy has become the cause of the appearance of red plaque, then a person needs to contact an allergist and establish an irritating factor. The doctor will conduct the necessary studies and prescribe antihistamines.
Particular attention should be paid to the appearance of a red coating on the tongue in childhood. This may be the only reaction to the introduction of complementary foods, signaling that the food is not absorbed by the baby’s body and needs to be replaced. At preschool age, a reddened tongue is a sign of many diseases, ranging from the usual acute respiratory disease to scarlet fever and measles. Treatment should be carried out by a pediatrician, self-therapy can only aggravate the child’s condition.