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4 Reasons Why Ask DoctorBase is the Most Efficient Way to SEO and Establish Your Brand Online

  1. Ask DoctorBase is a free service for patients on the DoctorBase platform - currently servicing over 6 million American patients of record.
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Ask Dr. Molly if you have questions or want a personal session on how to best use Ask DoctorBase for maximum marketing impact.

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Molly Maloof, MD

Director of Clinical Content
@DoctorBase

Tongue with purple patches

Is this worth going to the doctor and getting checked out, or is this normal pigmentation?
Poster
  • Female | 26 years old
  • Complaint duration: 60 days
  • Medications: none
  • Conditions: no

Find low drug prices at local & online pharmacies

Featured Answer

1 UpVoted this answer
The furry top of the tongue (dorsum) has a faint bluish streak, front to back, on both right and left. These seem to be veins that are not usually visible but are now. I believe that the reason is that the tiny white taste buds (papillae), which appear normal in the middle of the tongue, are diminished from their normal tiny size on the sides of the tongue (lateral borders.) These lateral papillae are now smaller than usual. This can be caused by a fungal infection of the tongue or by a nutritional deficiency attributable to Vitamins C and B-complex. It can also occur across the entire top (dorsum) of the tongue in radiation therapy and chemotherapy. When normal light pink-to-white taste buds are normal in size, they hide the surface of the skin of the tongue and the underlying anatomy, i.e. blood vessels. When they become small, the underlying skin of the tongue and anatomy, i.e. blood vessels, become visible. ..... MORE IMPORTANTLY, I am concerned about a small circular depression (ulcer) in the lateral border on the right side of your tongue as it appears in the top right photo about 1/2 inch from the tip of your tongue AND I am concerned about the surface appearance of that same area in the two bottom photos. The blue areas and the ulcer are 2 separate problems. DO NOT BE YOUR OWN DOCTOR about this. See a reputable Oral Surgeon and have your blue areas and the ulcer evaluated. Show him/her my response.
Abraham Speiser
Thank you so much for your help, I have been wondering what type of doctor to see. I had gone to a dentist a while ago and he told me he couldn't see anything. I will try going to an oral surgeon now.
Poster
The tongue tells us what is going on in the body. I don't think there is an issue about the tongue, but it may be a sign of poor circulation. If you lift up your tongue you may see dark purple veins, which are a sign of blood stagnation. Hemorrhoids are a sign of the same at the other end of the digestive tract. You want to make sure you are getting enough water, and eating enough fruits and veggies with fiber. I would see an acupuncturist--they are experts in tongue diagnosis and can tell you how the tongue connects with other symptoms you are having in your body--headaches? digestive issues?