This uncomfortable symptom could affect one in 10 people
A little-recognised symptom affecting the mouth could impact approximately one in 10 people with Covid. Research revealed that roughly 10 per cent of those admitted to hospital with coronavirus experienced alterations to their mouth or tongue.
Most of us are familiar with the most prevalent signs of Covid, including a persistent cough, loss of taste and smell, and fatigue among the key indicators to monitor. Nevertheless, as with any illness, there are some more unusual symptoms of Covid that you might not be aware of.
The Zoe Health Study, a survey launched in 2020 to track emerging symptoms and patterns of the virus, identified “Covid tongue” as a potential sign of infection. This phrase refers to any changes to the mouth or tongue caused by Covid.
Zoe recorded how “many” individuals noticed that their tongue looked white and patchy and “didn’t look normal” while they tested positive. Professor Tim Spector, one of Zoe’s co-founders, shared a photograph of a white and patchy tongue on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He said: “One in five people with Covid still present with less common symptoms that don’t get on the official Public Health England list – such as skin rashes. Seeing increasing numbers of Covid tongues and strange mouth ulcers.”
This symptom has been explored in multiple scientific studies. One review of research, published in Dermatologic Therapy journal in 2020, documented various mouth-related changes linked with Covid. Scientists found that dry mouth was the most commonly reported issue, followed by taste loss (dysgeusia) and oral thrush, a fungal infection.
They also observed changes in tongue sensation, muscle pain whilst chewing, mouth swelling, and ulcers on the tongue or inner surfaces of the mouth and lips, although these symptoms appeared less commonly.
A separate study published in the British Journal of Dermatology examined 666 hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain, finding that one in ten experienced changes to their mouth or tongue. The study authors noted: “Overall, 304 (45.7 per cent) of our patients presented with one of more mucocutaneous manifestations [areas of the body involving both skin and mucous membranes].
“Oral cavity [mouth] findings were seen in 78 cases (25.7 per cent), including transient lingual papillitis (11.5 per cent), glossities with lateral indentations (6.6 per cent), aphthous stomatitis (6.9 per cent), glossitis with patchy depapillation (3.9 per cent) and mucositis (3.9 per cent). Burning sensation was reported in 5.3 per cent of patients, and taste disturbances (dysgeusia) were commonly associated.”
Medical News Today has also documented that Covid tongue may cause swelling, a burning sensation, and a rough, bumpy texture on the tongue’s surface. The precise cause of Covid tongue remains unknown, though infections can generally prompt changes within the mouth.
The symptom usually disappears once the Covid infection subsides, which typically occurs within around two weeks. Various non-prescription treatments have demonstrated effectiveness, including:
- Antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial mouthwashes for white patches and ulcers
- Saliva substitutes for dry mouth
- Lozenges to stimulate saliva production
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for tongue swelling and pain
Should the problem persist beyond two weeks, it’s recommended to seek advice from your GP.
