White, red, yellow… What the color of the tongue says about our health

When we are healthy, our tongue should be between light pink and dark pink, depending on each person’s skin pigmentation. Any other color should lead you to consult your doctor.

Here is an overview of cases caused by health conditions.

A white tongue

Whether it is completely discolored or has lines or white patches, the tongue can be the site of thrush, that is to say an infection caused by the fungus Candida Albican.

It can also be lichen planus – an inflammatory eruption – or even oral hairy leukoplakia, which is a virosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

A yellow tongue

Generally, a tongue of this color denotes a lack of oral hygiene. Dehydration can also cause this consequence. Finally, psoriasis can turn the tongue yellow.

An orange tongue

The causes are the same as for yellow tongue. The administration of certain antibiotics or the consumption of certain foods rich in beta-carotene can also be responsible for this color discoloration.

A red tongue

A food or medication allergy can cause the tongue to turn red, as can a vitamin B deficiency or scarlet fever, an infectious skin disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes.

Red tongue is also sometimes linked to a condition called “geographic tongue.” This generally benign autoimmune disease is characterized by lesions on the surface of the tongue presenting more or less a map-like appearance.

A gray tongue

Some patients with “geographic tongue” may develop gray areas around the red areas. Additionally, eczema can result in a pale gray tongue.

A black tongue

It results from an accumulation of keratin, the protein making up hair, skin and nails. Food particles and other debris sometimes cling to the taste buds, making the tongue appear black and hairy.

The causes ? Poor oral hygiene, smoking, chewing gum consumption, radiotherapy treatment and, less commonly, diabetes.

A purple tongue

Much less common, this color can be a sign of blood circulation disorders or even Kawasaki disease, an acute febrile vasculitis characterized by inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. It is the leading cause of heart disease acquired in childhood in industrialized countries.

A green tongue

Like yellow tongue, green tongue often results from poor oral hygiene, leading to a buildup of bacteria.

Smoking and dehydration also result in a green tint to the tongue.

A blue tongue

It is a sign of blood disorders, lack of oxygen or even kidney disease. In this case, an emergency consultation is recommended, because too low an oxygen level can have serious consequences on your health.

With Destination Health.

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