The tongue can also turn red and bumpy, which may indicate a vitamin B deficiency or scarlet fever.Īlternately, these changes can occur as part of an allergic reaction to a drug or food.Ī red, bumpy tongue can also indicate glossitis - inflammation of the tongue. This is a rare but serious condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels. The tongue may turn purple as a result of poor blood circulation or a heart condition.Īccording to the Department of Health and Human Services, a purple tongue can also be a sign of Kawasaki disease. This condition causes white patches or plaques to form on the tongue, and it often results from smoking.Īlso, the tongue may appear white because of lichen planus, a type of rash. A person may have trouble swallowing or eating.Īnother possible cause is leukoplakia. Oral thrush can be painful and cause thick, white or red patches to form on the tongue. If the tongue pales and develops white patches, this may result from a fungal infection, such as oral thrush. In rare cases, a black tongue results from a more serious health condition, such as diabetes or HIV. A buildup can result from:ĭrinking dark liquids - such as coffee or black tea - can also blacken the tongue. Keratin is a protein in the skin, hair, and nails.Īccording to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a keratin buildup can cause the tongue to become black and hairy. BlackĪ buildup of keratin can cause the tongue to turn black. Some of these issues clear up on their own, while others require treatment.īelow, we describe several tongue colors and the medical conditions that are likely to result in them. Underlying health issues can turn the tongue various colors.
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