what is this?

Question

hmm... it seems like i have this same problem, my tongue seems to have a white furry tongue... there are no spots or sores of any kind just a white furry coating on the top... ive tried everything from baking soda with water to rinse my mouth, also salt and water, to even trying to get rid of it by cleaning my tongue and also my doctor gave me clotrimazole tablets which sort of helped but havent cleared the problem completely...
also i seem to have phlegm in my throat which bothers me a lot.
what exactly is this???
its really frustrating cause i really have NOT found a solution to this at all...
please help...

This discussion is related to Why is my tongue white?.

wannabefree330 · Answer

I looked at your tongue pic and it actually doesn't look that bad, but then again, I have seen much much worse.  This is going to sound way gross but one possible way you may have contracted it is if your girlfriend had a yeast infection (vaginal), didn't tell you, and you had oral sex with her.......you can get it that way too.  So, always important to be open and honest w/your sex partner.  Antibiotics are the most common cause.  If you ever get antibiotics prescribed for you, always eat yogurt every day to help prevent the yeast from growing.

good to hear its clearing up for you!!

onenightstand · Answer

have you tested 3 month negative ?

shane91 · Answer

alright, so here are the results, when i went to the doctor she gave me a prescription of diflucan which worked well. i can definitely say my tongue looks much better, its not completely gone though so i think i might go see her again. how is everything for you going? and did you see my picture? what did you think about it?

shane91 · Answer

oh, endoscope? sounds scary, hopefully my problem is not too serious although gastro problems sounds like something i think i could have. how would i know that?
either way, we'll see how everything goes... im very glad your problem is gone though. must be refreshing to know you are back to normal.

i want to show you a picture of my tongue so you can tell me what you think...

http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo9iw4.jpg

btw thank you for still taking your time to answer ^_^

HelpinUtah · Answer

Yes, yeast infections are actually quite common.  They are extremely frustrating.  Women tend to get them more than men do.  It's possible she could have given you the yeast infection!  Just an idea.  If her tongue is white you might want to have her go with you to the doctor to make sure.  Like I said, it won't hurt for you both to take the stuff.  

For me, it was a weakened immune system.  I was extremely anemic as well as having some gastro problems.  They thought it was pancreatitis, but now they think it might be something else.  I have an an endoscope next Friday!  Fun, eh?

shane91 · Answer

do you know what caused it for you??
is it normal for people to get yeast infections??
and how do i know if my girlfriend has it, her tongue definitely doesnt look like mine, but i keep looking all the time to see if i notice something haha
it definitely has a white coat but its not thick at all and its more from the middle to the back as suppose to mine where it is mostly all throughout the tongue.
is there any signs that show you that thrush is comming?

HelpinUtah · Answer

By the way, my tongue is finally looking normal again.  So, it does take time for it to go away.  And, I'm glad you were tested for HIV because that sometimes causes thrush as well.  But, a low-grade infection in your body can cause it as well or just a weakened immune system.  Anyway, let me know what your doctor says!

HelpinUtah · Answer

Thrush is basically a yeast infection (candida) and yeast infections are contagious.  For instance, if a woman has a yeast infection in her vagina, and you were to have sex, you could get the yeast infection.  If you are worried, she can take the acidopholous too.  It won't hurt her.  I take it everyday for my digestive tract to keep the balance in there just right.  

Let me know what your doctor says about it as well.  

Have a great day!!!

shane91 · Answer

thank you! i bought it and ill give it a try, ill let you know how it works. i will also see my doctor this thursday so ill see what she says too and i will let you know about my progress, by the way, thank you so much for answering all my questions i really appreciate :]
i have one more question... i was wondering. is thrush contagious?? because i have been avoiding kissing my girlfriend... so i was wondering if i could cause any harm to her or transfer the trush...

HelpinUtah · Answer

just follow the instructions on the label.  You'll do fine!  Good luck hun!!!

shane91 · Answer

alright, will do, now, any recommendations in how to take it?

HelpinUtah · Answer

Go to the health food store and buy some straight acidophoulus.  It tastes not so great, but it works wonderful!  I promise it will help it go away.  It won't hurt you - in fact, it will help your digestive system as well!  Good luck!!!

shane91 · Answer

hmm no, i think the only sweet stuff i drink is chocolate in the mornings, i eat rice everyday for sure, milk... maybe i chew gum from time to time.
the thing is, it just frustrates me because it looks disgusting, i havent kissed my girlfriend in like 3 months, and i can not open my mouth in public comfortably. i dont know what to do :[
this is seriously killing me because i havent found a thing that can get rid of it...

HelpinUtah · Answer

I'm on the 14th day of thrush and I still have a slight whiteness to my tongue.  Thrush is a fungus type disease and it can be throughout your whole body.  Do you eat a lot of sugar or high carb foods that are turned into sugar?  Thrush is basically a yeast infection.  Sometimes it can take awhile to get rid of.  Good luck!!!

shane91 · Answer

how long do you think this could take to clear up though?? has yours cleared up completely yet???
honestly i have not found an article where someone has said they found a solution to this so it scares me...
i got tested for hiv so its definitely nothing like that
but then i read it could be diabetes or cancer... what could this really be?

shane91 · Answer

hmmm well not really, i wasnt at least last week, now i am but im avoiding antibiotics as much as i can... honestly ive had this for quite a while... probably for 2 months already. i barely only went to my doctor about 2 weeks ago though and she gave me those tablets.
but now that you mention it... a while ago probably about a month before i noticed it. i was feeling a bit sick so i took liquid nyquil and i remember having a horrible night, i felt very very drowsy and sort of dizzy and weak, i was also feeling very drowsy for the next day or two, do you think that might have started it???

HelpinUtah · Answer

It sounds like thrush.  I had thrush recently and had to take medication for 10 days to clear it up - it was diflucan.  I also bought straight acidophulous from the health food store.  It is finally starting to clear up.  Have you been sick lately or on antibiotics?  That's usually how thrush begins.  Good luck!!!!