Strawberry tongue is a physical exam finding in which the upper surface of a patient’s tongue has a distinct red coloration and a characteristic bumpy appearance because of inflammation of the taste buds. This condition is most closely associated with scarlet fever, a childhood illness that is caused by a certain type of bacteria. Toxic shock syndrome, another bacterial infection, also is associated with this tongue abnormality. Kawasaki's disease is another cause of the symptom. Strawberry tongue should be differentiated from other conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, that can also cause tongue inflammation.