Paying attention to the appearance of your little one’s mouth can help you spot health problems early, as many of the key signs on the tongue are indicative of certain diseases.
In a report published by the magazineIris Mama(eres mama) Spanish writer Vanessa Evangelina said that children’s diseases can be detected through the tongue if different and varied signs appear in it, and therefore it is important to know what this organ should look like under normal conditions and to recognize the signs that indicate that Something is not going well in children.
The writer explains that in fact, this organ in the oral cavity provides many functions such as sensing tastes, speaking, eating, and often, it is also an indicator of a person’s general health.
How is the normal condition of the tongue of the child?
The writer shows that the tongue is a pink muscle mass, and its color indicates its health, but when it turns white, pale or dark red, it is possible that there is a problem in the body.
The most common childhood diseases that cause changes in the tongue
The writer says that if your child shows any change in the appearance of the tongue, you can consult your pediatrician to find out the cause of the problem.
Candida albicans
Candida albicans is a natural fungus that appears in some parts of the body, that is, it is part of the normal flora (microorganisms) of humans, but in some circumstances, the healthy balance between these fungi and our defenses breaks down and ends up infecting some parts, this is known in the mouth as candidiasis Oral candidiasis, which has a distinctive appearance in which the mucous membranes, including the tongue, are covered with white curd-like membranes.
Although it is not a serious infection for babies, it can change the mechanism of feeding. In particular, candidiasis makes newborns uncomfortable, breastfeeding becomes difficult and the baby takes less milk than recommended.
When the white spots fade, a portion of the painful red tongue remains underneath, and pediatricians usually diagnose it immediately and begin appropriate treatment. Candidiasis in some children may be a sign of other childhood diseases that lead to a decrease in defenses, ie immunosuppression.
Dehydration
Dehydration is not a disease in itself but rather a condition caused by a lack of body water, and it can arise as a result of some diseases due to insufficient fluid intake or increased fluid loss.
Children are more likely to become dehydrated than adults because their compensation mechanisms are somewhat less efficient. In fact, many childhood illnesses that cause dehydration, whether due to fever, vomiting or diarrhea, are manifested by the appearance of the tongue.
Other signs of dehydration such as the child urinating less, spending a long time without urinating, irritable or crying without tears, should see a pediatrician as soon as possible.
Anemia
Anemia is one of the most common childhood diseases and it also has signs that appear on the tongue. Due to the lack of red blood cells, the color of the skin and tongue turns pale. Glossitis also occurs as it increases in size with redness.
And glossitis is not limited to being a sign of iron deficiency anemia only because other micronutrient deficiencies appear with this sign such as deficiency of vitamin B12, zinc and folic acid. If the young child appears tired, lack of concentration, weakness and brittle nails, and pale skin and tongue, it is appropriate to visit the pediatrician.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a childhood disease that affects the tongue with several symptoms. In general, a fever appears following a sore throat because it is caused by the same germ.
Children with scarlet fever develop a rash on a large part of their body that usually appears at the level of the neck.
In the mouth, scarlet fever is known as a “strawberry tongue.” The tongue becomes white and swollen with a coat-like upper layer, then turns dark red with many bumps, which are papillae that have increased in size.
Allergies
Allergies are very common in children, and they can have skin reactions from contact with an allergen, whether it is insect poison, food, or animal hair.
Children’s immune system is almost always exposed to unknown substances, but if there is a specific allergy to any of them, it will lead to an allergic reaction.
The tongue can indicate this when it swells and becomes redder than usual, which makes it difficult to speak, swallow, and even breathe, and this is a serious matter that requires an emergency call immediately.