Which disease is associated with strawberry tongue?

Strawberry tongue is a clinical sign characterized by a red, swollen tongue with prominent papillae that resembles the surface of a strawberry. This finding can be associated with several diseases due to the underlying pathophysiological processes that lead to inflammation and changes in the tongue's appearance.

Toxic shock syndrome is a systemic illness often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, and it can present with strawberry tongue, particularly due to associated mucosal irritation and systemic inflammation.

Kawasaki disease is a childhood vasculitis that affects medium-sized arteries and is characterized by prolonged fever, rash, conjunctivitis, and mucosal changes, including strawberry tongue. The oral manifestations are due to the inflammatory effects of the disease.

Scarlet fever, which is caused by Group A Streptococcus, also features strawberry tongue. This disease is characterized by a fine, sandpaper-like rash, and the tongue becomes red and bumpy due to the desquamation of the outer layer of the tongue's epithelium, revealing the underlying tissue.

Thus, all these conditions can present with strawberry tongue, reflecting the commonality of mucosal inflammation in these different diseases. The presence of this sign can guide clinicians in recognizing and differentiating