The baby’s tongue appears black, which may be caused by various reasons, including daily diet and medication effects, or may be related to some health issues. In this situation, parents should promptly take the child to see a doctor in order to accurately determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
If a large amount of pigmented food or medication is ingested in the diet, such as mulberries or iron supplements, it may lead to pigment deposition on the surface of the tongue, appearing as black. Generally, no special treatment is needed, and it can naturally improve after adjusting the diet. Similarly, certain medication side effects may also cause similar phenomena, which usually recover on their own after discontinuation.
From a pathological perspective, the blackening of a baby’s tongue may be related to the following conditions:
Heat in the body: Babies with weaker constitution are vulnerable to environmental influences. Heat in the body caused by excessive internal heat may manifest as sore throat, dry mouth, and in some cases, accompanied by black tongue. For heat in the body, heat-clearing and detoxifying medications may be used according to medical advice.
Trauma: Biting or scratching the tongue with foreign objects may cause local bleeding, accumulation of blood making the tongue appear dull. Proper icing can help reduce bleeding, maintain oral hygiene to prevent infection.
Fungal infection: Ignoring oral hygiene may allow fungi to enter, causing stomatitis, characterized by changes in tongue color and pain. Doctors may recommend using antifungal ointments for treatment.
Vascular malformation: This is a benign tumor that may cause discoloration of the skin or tongue, affecting feeding when severe. Laser treatment is one method for managing vascular malformations and helping improve symptoms.
Of course, there are other less common factors, such as congenital heart problems or cerebrovascular diseases, which require thorough examinations based on the actual situation.
When faced with the situation of a baby’s tongue turning black, timely medical attention and accurate diagnosis are key to ensure appropriate treatment and care.
