The particular medical case of the "black hairy tongue" that was presented in the USA.
Two doctors recorded the case of a patient whose tongue was blackened. It is rare in the medical world and does not generate major complications
The New England Journal of Medicine is one of the most prestigious journals in the medical world. In addition to publishing rigorous scientific studies, short stories that explain strange clinical cases also frequently appear on its website. One of its sections, in fact, is called "Case-challenge". They compile a list of particularities that doctors usually find, in the best style of the popular Dr. House series . ( Read Those over 50 also smoke marijuana: its consumption grows in the US )
One of those strange cases was published by doctors Yasir Hamad and David K. Warren of the University of Washington in the United States. "Black furry tongue", they titled it. ( Read The first big exercise study lights the alarms: the world is more sedentary )
In a few paragraphs, they recounted what they had found weeks ago after examining a patient. After he arrived at the hospital with several injuries to his legs from a traffic accident, the doctors formulated two antibiotics: meropenem, intravenously, and minocycline, by mouth. The woman, 55, had developed multiple microbial infections.
However, after a week, he presented a strange symptom. His tongue had turned dark. The discoloration was also accompanied by nausea and vomiting. ( Read the risks of nutritional products )
The diagnosis of the specialists when seeing his mouth was a particularity: "black hairy tongue". "Black furry tongue", in Spanish. The first suspicions indicated that it was a reaction to minocycline.
After suspending the treatment and trying another alternative group of antibiotics, the patient's tongue returned to its normal state. It took 4 weeks, in which, in addition, the doctors recommended a good dose of oral hygiene.
Precisely, the poor cleanliness of the mouth, the use of tobacco and, in some cases, the reaction to some antibiotics, are some of the causes of this clinical peculiarity. ( Read The standards that the pharmaceutical industry wants the new Minister of Health to stop )
Although the reason for the blackening of the tongue is not known with precision, it is possible that, as the N + 1 account, the detachment of the epithelium of the tongue and the subsequent proliferation of microorganisms or the accumulation of microparticles. The "hairs" formed in the organ can reach between 12 and 18 millimeters in length.
However, there is no reason to be scared. It is a very particular case that is reversible and does not generate major complications.