Hello,      On November 22nd, I went to urgent care for a infected thumb nail. They told me to soak in hot water and gave me 10 days of Doxycycline. The treatment worked. I now have noticed that the back of my tongue is black. I dont see fur but it looks like Ive eaten black licorice. Will this recover on its own, or do I have to go back to the Doctor?
Hi. Thanks for the query. As per your symptoms it looks like you are suffering from Black Hairy Tongue. It can occur due to a number of conditions like overgrowth of bacteria and fungus over the tongue, entrapment of dead cells over the tongue papillae and when the Papillae do not shed as per its normal cycle and there is elongation of the papillae and more of debris and dead cell entrapment as well as more growth of bacteria and fungus. Tobacco chewing, smoking and excess intake of tea and coffee can also be contributing factor. You should consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated and in case of fungal infection along with maintaining good Oral hygiene you will have to take antifungal medication like Statin mouthwash and clotrimazole lozenges. Taking more of Probiotics in diet like Yogurt and Garlic will help. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Gargle with 1:1 solution of HY Chat Doctor. . Take more of hard foods like apple, carrots and other things as they will clean the tongue by friction.