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What Causes The Yellow Discoloration Of The Tongue?

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Posted on Thu, 25 Jun 2015
Question: for past few days ive noticed my tongue is yellow, i have brushed and scrubbed it every night and morning with my toothbrush and it is still yellow. now i notice the bumps on the back of my tongue are bigger than usual. some almost look like small blisters
ive also notice im beginning to bruise easy. last time i had blood work done the white blood cell count was elevated. i also have bad heartburn but thinkin this could be from the pepcid pill i take every morning i have stopped taking it now for a week.
... what could this be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
oral candidiasis

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

The yellow discoloration of the tongue is likely due to oral yeast infection.

This is the most common cause.

Though the brushing is important, treatment requires the use of an oral antifungal for complete resolution.

Treatment: (1) avoid a high sugar diet because this can worsen it

(2)medication such as nystatin oral suspension or clotrimazole troche can be used , obtained with prescription from your doctor

(3)if there is no response then tablets such as fluconazole or sporanox may be needed

Pepcid is not one of the medications that is associated with this infection. It can be seen with oral steroids or the inhaled steroids used in asthma.

Also noted in diabetics , persons on other immune suppressing medication, HIV, related to oral mouth care.

The white cell count would be elevated in any inflammatory/infectious process, so this infection would cause an increase.
It would not be related to bruising however, this would be related to the platelet count which was normal in your test.

If the bruising continues or there is any prolonged bleeding then may also need tests to check for the levels of clotting factors.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
is it something i need to go to the doctor for right away? or will it go away on its on?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
need an antifungal for resolution

Detailed Answer:
HI

Anti fungals like the ones mentioned are needed to treat it, does not resolve in its own . They are not usually over the counter but you can ask at your local pharmacy to see if one of them is available there.

It would not be considered an emergency so you do not need to go to see your doctor immediately but you can make an appointment to see him/her

Please feel free to ask any other questions

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes The Yellow Discoloration Of The Tongue?

Brief Answer: oral candidiasis Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic The yellow discoloration of the tongue is likely due to oral yeast infection. This is the most common cause. Though the brushing is important, treatment requires the use of an oral antifungal for complete resolution. Treatment: (1) avoid a high sugar diet because this can worsen it (2)medication such as nystatin oral suspension or clotrimazole troche can be used , obtained with prescription from your doctor (3)if there is no response then tablets such as fluconazole or sporanox may be needed Pepcid is not one of the medications that is associated with this infection. It can be seen with oral steroids or the inhaled steroids used in asthma. Also noted in diabetics , persons on other immune suppressing medication, HIV, related to oral mouth care. The white cell count would be elevated in any inflammatory/infectious process, so this infection would cause an increase. It would not be related to bruising however, this would be related to the platelet count which was normal in your test. If the bruising continues or there is any prolonged bleeding then may also need tests to check for the levels of clotting factors. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions