A lesser-known symptom in the mouth could affect around one in 10 people with Covid. One study found that around 10 per cent of those hospitalised with coronavirus experienced changes to their mouth or tongue.

Many of us are well aware of some of the most common signs of Covid. A continuous cough, loss of taste and smell, and exhaustion are among the primary indicators to watch for.

However, like any illness, there are some less typical symptoms of Covid that you may be unaware of. The Zoe Health Study, a survey initiated in 2020 to monitor emerging symptoms and patterns of the virus, identified "Covid tongue" as a possible indication of infection.

This term describes any alterations to the mouth or tongue resulting from Covid. Zoe documented how "many" people observed that their tongue appeared white and patchy and "didn't look normal" during the period when they tested positive.

Professor Tim Spector, one of Zoe's co-founders, shared an image of a white and patchy tongue on X, previously known as Twitter. He stated: "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 examined in numerous scientific studies. One review of research, published in the Dermatologic Therapy journal in 2020, documented various mouth-related changes associated with Covid.

Researchers discovered that dry mouth was the most frequently reported problem, followed by loss of taste (dysgeusia) and oral thrush, a fungal infection. They also noted alterations in tongue sensation, muscle discomfort during chewing, mouth swelling, and ulcers on the tongue or the inner surfaces of the mouth and lips, though these occurred less frequently.

Meanwhile, a separate study published in the British Journal of Dermatology revealed that amongst 666 hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain, a tenth experienced changes to their mouth or tongue. Study authors wrote: “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 reported that Covid tongue may result in swelling, a burning feeling, and a rough, bumpy texture on the tongue's surface. The exact cause of Covid tongue remains unclear, though infections generally can trigger changes within the mouth.

Fortunately, the symptom typically resolves once the Covid infection clears, which generally takes approximately two weeks. Several over-the-counter remedies have proved helpful, 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

If the issue continues beyond two weeks, it's advisable to consult your GP.