We are in the third year of the coronavirus pandemic but there are several things that we are still not aware of the highly infectious disease. Also, the infections caused by the virus are getting more and more difficult to decipher. For example, there are many COVID-19 positive patients today who do not complain of the classic symptoms like loss of taste and smell, breathlessness. Instead, they are complaining of a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms are also quite distinct from one another. One such symptom is ‘Covid tongue’.
What is Covid tongue?
Covid tongue is small bumps or swellings on the surface of the tongue. This makes tongues look white, patchy and swollen. Some people may complain of ulcers on the tongue. The swelling may be painful, especially while eating.
According to a study conducted in 2021, COVID-19 also manifests in the oral cavity and the most common manifestations are transient U-shaped lingual papillitis, glossitis with patchy depapillation and burning mouth syndrome.
What causes Covid tongue
Experts are of the opinion that oral thrush can be a reason behind the Covid tongue. Oral thrush is a kind of fungus caused by the coronavirus or some medicines used for the treatment of the coronavirus infection.
Also, dry mouth can be one of the reasons. The salivary glands of COVID-19 infected people can secrete less saliva and this leads to dryness in mouth – a breeding ground for a number of oral diseases.
Experts also say that swelling in the Covid tongue can be due to the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE) receptors on the tongue. The ACE receptors are the proteins with the help of which the coronavirus enters the body.
Link with Omicron
Covid tongue was reported during the third wave of coronavirus, which was mainly because of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Along with common symptoms shown by previous variants, Omicron showed symptoms like common cold and Covid tongue along with some other signs like muscle pain, skin rashes, and diarrhea.