What Makes This Happen???

Updated on June 03, 2010
J.C. asks from Dallas, TX
16 answers

im asking this for my sister-in-law her tounge has turned black and she aint sure what has caused this.maybe you moms might could think of something that could cause this...and by the way she has a new boyfriend that is a truck driver

1 mom found this helpful

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

One possible reason is Pepto-Bismol (or other drugs that have bismuth as an ingredient e.g. Kaopectate). Other reasons are overgrowth of bacteria or yeast on the tongue (http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/1106_blk_... )

4 moms found this helpful

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I agree aobut the pepto as others said...it always does this to me...sometimes a day later after I forgot I took the stuff. I am just used to it now!

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

L.B.

answers from Dallas on

OK..after I stopped laughing (not because your SIL has a black tounge, but because of your insinuation based on her boyfriend's occupation) I googled black tounge and here is what I found as far as causes (from mayoclinic.com)

â– Changes in the normal bacteria or yeast content of the mouth following antibiotic use

â– Poor oral hygiene

â– Breathing through your mouth

â– Medications containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol

â– Regular use of mouthwashes containing oxidizing agents, such as peroxide, or astringent agents, such as witch hazel or menthol

â– Heavy tobacco use

I would go ahead and send her to the Dr.

13 moms found this helpful

G.R.

answers from Dallas on

did she take pepto bismol?

5 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Pepto Bismal causes this. If you take pepto the night before, when you wake up your tongue is black. It brushes off.

If it's not a pepto thing, I'd make an appt at the doctors.

4 moms found this helpful

C.C.

answers from Little Rock on

I get a black tongue sometimes after I eat a peptobiz tab. Ask her if she has a black tongue after eating one.

4 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Huntsville on

I agree it could be Pepto Bismol if she has been taking that, or some other medicine she's taking.

I took Pepto before bed once w/out drinking anything afterward. Woke up w/ a dark colored tongue! haha

4 moms found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Cleveland on

This happened to me once about 10 yrs ago. I think it was food poisoning. I rushed over to the dr by then the dark black and lighten up a bit. By the next morning my tongue was looking normal. I was scared.

3 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Nashville on

I had something similar when I had an allergic reaction to penicillin. If she gets any other allergy symptoms, see a doc. (things like hives, itching, splotches, difficulty breathing)

3 moms found this helpful
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P.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

I've heard where they call this "hairy tongue"..check that out on the mayo website.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Look up "black hairy tongue" on Wikipedia.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

It can be caused by abx, but it is very often a reflection of severe fungal overgrowth. I have gotten one many times after being on abx and I have ongoing issues with fungal overgrowth. Probiotics can help alot with this, as can a low carb diet. Fungal infections can be transferred from one person to another, so if the bf has fungal overgrowth, then she could have gotten it from him. Many people have fungal overgrowth due to overconsumption of carbs - ie., Standard American Diet (SAD).

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

I think she got it from the truck driver :)

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

Some antibiotics cause hairy black tongue. Just curious.....what does having a truck driver boyfriend have to do with your SIL's condition?

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L.R.

answers from Dallas on

Very poor nutrition will cause a black tounge. Also, the bismoth in peptobismal with cause a dark tounge for a couple of hours.

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M.T.

answers from Dallas on

Is she taking antibiotics???? This can sometimes cause the tongue to turn black, she needs to check with her doctor.....super infections/ABX might be the cause!!!!

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