Could That Swollen Tongue be Kawasaki Disease?

You may have heard on the news that cases of Kawasaki disease are on the rise, especially in China and Japan. Likewise, I have seen a significant increase in the number of my readers who are looking for swollen tongue causes. Are the two related? Actually, swollen tongue is a symptom of Kawasaki disease. The illness causes the tongue to become swollen and extremely red, something health care workers sometimes call "strawberry tongue". However, this rare autoimmune disorder, which targets children, is still not a real likely culprit. Kawasaki disease is rare - one article I read cited 2,000-4,000 cases in the United States each year, another said the incidence in the U.S. was 19 in 100,000 children.

There is a higher rate of Kawasaki disease among individuals with Asian ancestry but children of all races can get it. In addition to swollen tongue, symptoms of Kawasaki disease include: swollen lymph nodes, fever, skin rash, red eyes, and bright red chapped lips. Other symptoms may appear as the disease progresses and can involve the heart so it is important to get medical help. The cause of Kawasaki disease is not clear but scientists and doctors believe that their is an infectious etiology. Is there an underlying virus sweeping through China and Japan right now? Officials aren't really sure. Because the exact cause is unknown it may be difficult to stop the spread of the disease.

If your child has a swollen tongue your best bet is to go to the doctor. Besides Kawasaki disease a swollen tongue can be a symptom of other very serious illnesses like epiglottitis or a life threatening allergic reaction. For more information read What Causes a Swollen Tongue?

Kawasaki disease is treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and high doses of aspirin. The sooner you get treatment the more likely you are to make a full recovery. Without treatment most children recover eventually but may have cardiovascular problems that are permanent. If you suspect your child has Kawasaki disease you should get medical attention as soon as possible.