Black tongue? 6 month old

[sil]

My DS is 6 months old. A few days ago I noticed black staining on the back of his tongue. I figured it was just from food and forgot about it, but today I looked closer and it looks almost like mold. Has anyone had this? I'm calling the doctor tomorrow about it but figure I would ask here in the mean time. He is breastfed and on solids as well.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

I have no idea if this is the same thing or not--but I woke up one morning (several years ago) after having an upset stomach the night before, and my tongue was black just like that. I always figured it was some mild form of food poisoning. Has he had an upset belly? Maybe he had some solid food that didn't agree with him. For me, the black brushed right off when I scrubbed it that morning with a toothbrush. I understand that is pretty disconcerting to see on your baby, though!

Edit--I just Googled it, and apparently it can also be a sign of an overgrowth of bacteria? None of the suggestions seemed really serious, and they all seemed like things easily resolved. I hope it can be easily dealt with when you call his doc. : )

 

[sethsmummy]

hmm i wonder if it could be a form of thrush hun x

 

[MindUtopia]

Do you give him vitamin drops? My daughter had this once after she took her vitamins. It seemed to have been a reaction between something in the vitamins and something she ate, probably oxidized it and it turned her tongue black. I've never noticed it again (though haven't really looked either) but it was really strange when it happened.

 

[sil]

Just a quick update...the doctors aren't sure what it is. It doesn't scrape off and isn't fungus or food remnants. It is similar to bruising but doesn't look completely bruised. They are going to watch it and as long as no pain or swelling or the discoloration doesn't get worse then he should be fine. If it does, I'm not sure what they'll do? My pediatrician didn't know so 2 other doctors in the practice came in to look at him too and nobody knew what it was.

 

[Septie]

Thanks for the update hun! Are you sure it wasn't there before (as in - could it be a mole)?

 

[SoBlessedMama]

How strange! I'm glad they didn't seem too concerned. Hopefully it will resolve itself. Thanks for updating!