What Does Dark Residue On The Tongue Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 15 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 Answered on

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Sudden dark residue on tongue upon waking this a.m. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need more details

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thank you for posting your question on HealthcareMagic.
What is the colour of the coating on the tongue?
Do you have any other symptoms apart from this like abdominal pain or nausea or diarrhoea.
Are you diabetic?
Was this sudden onset?
Is the coating patchy?
It would be nice if you could upload photos.
As the coating could either be due to abdominal infection or fungal infection of the tongue .
Please upload pics and answer the above questions so that I could help you further.
Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (40 minutes later)

Color on tongue is dark brown, do have diarrhea, not diabetic, yes sudden onset, patchy, have wiped it out with q-tips and warm water mostly, I'm sorry I don't know how to upload pics.

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ok

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, looks like it is due to bacterial infection in the stomach causing diarrhoea
The dark pigmentation in the tongue could be due to stomach infection itself.
As the infection resolves the pigmentation will also start diminishing.
It doesn't look like a problem in itself but it is a sign if the ongoing bacterial infection.
I would recommend the following brush your tongue using a soft bristle brush .
Drink a lot of water every day .
Antibiotic therapy like Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole combination will help .
Take the antibiotic course for 5 days.
Hope this helps
Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad