Yellow Coating on Tongue

[yuccaplant]

About two months ago, I got quite sick, my throat was sore, lymphnodes very enlarged, headache, dizzy. I went to the dr, got amoxicillian. I came down with a drug reaction rash, though I've never been allergic to pen before. I stopped the medication. Three weeks later, I got very bad dry mouth and my tongue was white with thick hairy looking areas towards the back. I went back to the dr, who just told me to stop worrying. I got checked for diabetes and thyroid (negative). Although I am low risk, I also got an HIV test(negative). My tongue is now covered with hairy looking growth located towards the back, looks thicker, and turned yellow. I've been brushing my teeth, etc and not switched tootpaste or changed my cleaning routine.

Could this be an allergic reaction, allergy or diet problem and if so, how could I get it properly diagnosed?

I am female, mid 20's, no children, not very stressful job, but some medium stress lately from other factors. In good health, exercise 2-3X/week, eat healthy, weight 125, height 5'7". I have had no major surgeries or health issues. It's been over 6 months since last unprotected sex, but less than 6 months oral sex. It's been two months since initial sickness, but about 1 month from noticing tongue. The covering has gotten thicker in the month. This year I've periodically experienced extreme thirst (over 5L/day water) and constant dry lips/skin. I have mild periods of irritable bowel syndrome, and overall cranky digestion in general, but have that all the time. I also have dry hair and skin.

[LukeL]

From a quick check online a yellow tongue is a common symptoms of HIV and drug users. It can also be caused by Jaundince. You should see an ENT about this or go to your regular doctor for a referal.

[fullmergavin]

I am not a medical doc or professional researcher. The following comments must not substitute for the advise of your physician. I would certainly try to visit with your doc asap and explain this too, btw.

If you're a smoker, that could do this alone. Gonoreaha (Spelling) of the mouth would be another.

If you're test came back negative for HIV, you might want to consider the merits of testing for its close counterpart, Candidiasis. Intestinal and/or oral Candidiasis tends to run along the sides of the tongue more than it does that of any widespread area, to my understanding. Therefore, the second, and probably more likely scenario might involve some type of a bacterial infection.

Other online literature points to such possibilites as mono or Sjogren's Syndrome, give your symptoms. Riboflavin and Biotin deficiencies have also been linked with oral discoloration/disease.

I'm only 28 myself, and so by no means is it my intention to discipline you here whatsoever, ma'am, but I would really try to be a bit more careful when it comes to some of the sexual related history.

In 2004, the CDC reported 950,000 new cases of STD's alone, and they estimate that the number is likely to be four to five times that amount among the population. In other words, last year alone between 4 and 5 million brand new STD's were reported.

Three fourths of these newer infections occured in those 35 or under, two thirds of the total occuring among those 30 or under.

The belief by many that STD's cannot be spread through oral sex activities is false and misleading. Men and homosexual females are at very high risk for Candidiasis and Herpes, among several others. Women engaging in such activity are prone to HIV, HTLV, several others, too. For a woman deciding to participate in unprotected sex with an individual that has had multiple past partners is just plain dumb, to be fully honest with you.

Again, I didn't mean to turn this into a lecture, ma'am, but the fact is the days are long gone when "Only a few" had an STD. Today, sadly, the opposite is true-you have to assume that the majority are infected, that's likely the way it is.

For anyone dealing with these types of concerns in our age group, it makes dating and the prospects of marriage extremely difficult, based on what we now know with these new numbers.

These are the same folks touching door handles down at the mall and gas station, too, btw, although I would suggest that you don't take it as far as I have in this respect or you too will be on your way to becomming Howard Hughes II, as I have~.

[Chrissybabe]

Perhaps a little less promiscuity and lacksadaisical attitude toward sex in general might help do you think? Particularly in helping to decrease the spread of STD's and HIV. And yes, I know, we all love a good shag but being discerning about who and where we're doing it is the best investment for yourself and your own health - which, at the end of the day, is more important than anything else!

And ps.....yellow coating on the tongue can be the result of various factors: smoking, certain antibiotics, minor infections, diet, jaundice (usually with yellowing of eyes and skin), thyroid issues, spleen and/or liver anomalies, glandular fever....etc etc.....

[toomuchthinking123]

any answers?

[SassyLassie]

I would say that just about everyone who posted did a good job of answering. Certainly sexual transmitted disease can manifest itself orally. The yellow tongue can also indicate faulty liver function or gall bladder, yellow is usually the sign of liver conditions, but, then again, it could be an infection. These STD's are very hard to get rid of as they are viruses and you cannot kill a virus. I would highly recommend anyone experience the above symptoms in these posts to see their physician and have a thorough blood work performed along with any other tests they may think is necessary.

I would also add to abstain from any kind of sex until marriage. Yeah, I know, I hear you all laughing me off this earth, but hey, is the joy of sex really worth maybe your loosing life, it wouldn't be to me. Oh well, guess this comment was your laugh for the day.

Have a nice weekend and please, get checked, your health and quality of life are sure worth it.

[Bearded_clam]

I've found this board somewhat helpful. But may I say that people should exercise some caution before raising others' fears and concerns about stds and liver disease. (afterall, if you truly have ADD/ADHD, this can add to your anxiety and stress level)

In my experience, jaundiced patients also have yellowish eyes or skin, along with other symptoms. Get your liver enzymes level checked if you'd like to rule this out. Might as well get tested for stds while you're at the clinic. The final peace of mind is worth it.

I never really had any tongue problems besides the occasional dry mouth, since I started taking adderall (adderrall). At some point last winter I was prescribed some antibiotics, to which I was allergic, which made my tongue swell for quite a while. It has been quite a battle trying to deal with the yellow /white tongue coating, sore throat, etc, since then.

Here is some advice to anyone else who may need these amphetamines to deal with their focus issues. I've borrowed some information from previous posters, random online sources and personal experience.

I am not a physician or health care worker, so please, use any of the following information at your own risk.


1. Avoid taking antihistamines in combination with amphetamines (this could possibly increase the dry mouth symptom)

2. If you have persistent allergy symptoms that may or may not include post-nasal drip, consider speaking to your doctor about an effective medication. I noticed that my throat got or feels a bit narrower since I started taking this medication. You can imagine having to wake up in the morning with some nasty phlegm  sitting in between the back of of your throat and your tongue. It could lead to infection.

3.Taking the medication with some gummy bears or twizzlers can help with the uneven release of the medication and the dry mouth - the paste may combine with the medication in your gut and help release it more slowly.

4. If your job is very stressful, or you have to talk a lot without taking breaks, consider carrying a bottle of water with you EVERYWHERE you go at your job.  You could also consider looking for a job with  less stress/ adding some l-theanine to your regimen/ chew on one of those sugar free gums with xylitol in moderation (if it doesn't make you look rude or unprofessional)

5. Cut down on your overall sugar intake, it could encourage bacteria build-up in your mouth.

6.Avoid drinking beer or alcohol in large quanities before going to bed. The yeast content could promote candida overgrowth.

7. Brush and rinse thoroughly before bed.

8. Avoid quitting nicotine cold turkey and don't stop taking any blood-thinning medications such as aspirin abruptly. I don't encourage the use of nicotine, but its a muscle relaxant, it could indirectly  help alleviate some of the swallowing problems that amphetamines cause.

9. Avoid giving oral sex, if you can (I'll leave this to your imagination).

10. Take a multivitamin every day, if you'd like. We all know amphetamines decrease your appetite and sometimes your overall food intake. At least the supplement may  supply some nutrients and maintain your overall immunity. Vitamin B and C supposedly help to manage some of the residual symptoms of amphetamine use.

11. Consider drastically reducing your dosage or having some "off times".  Together with exercise, It will help get rid of any of the drugs that may be stored inside the body's fat.

12. Drink a lot of water, even when you are not thirsty.

[ruffmagruff]

this is a symptom of candida infection in you intestines from taking antibiotics!

searching your concerns in the searchbar on the candida support forum...there are many posts from people with very similar issues as you have and many posts on how to treat it.

http://************/forums/f.asp?f=460

candidiasis forum@
************

most likely what you eat is perpetuating the coated tongue...sugar, starch and any food intolerance will make the growth more profuse.

good luck!
to health
peace be and love free

~ruff

[ruffmagruff]

curezone! ******* is what i meant