Yellow Stripe Center On Tongue

Hello Friends!

One more adjuvant treatment week and my hubby is done!  Whew.  I can't wait until the PET scan provides the harmonious R word and then I can breathe.

Meanwhile, do any of you have comments regarding a yellow stripe down the center of the tongue?  Also, the yellow stripe is surrounded by white gunk.  It isn't thrush as we have already experienced that twice and also showed the doc.  The docs dismiss it as a rad side effect, but my hubby knows there is more to it than that. 

I've read quite a bit now on candida infections and will now explore that with the docs tomorrow.  In the meantime, I'd appreciate your knowledge on: yellow tongue stripe and candida infection.

Thank you to all!

Kara 

I think that the organism that causes thrush is either the same as or related to the one that causes candida infections. I had thrush during and after my treatments and took diflucan (fluconazole) for it. After the last one, I started taking acidophilous capsules and eating active culture yogurt ( contains acidophilous ). The dry mouth that is a result of radiation treatment is a primary cause of thrush infection, so try using Biotene products ( toothpaste and mouthwash, also Oasis mouth spray) they have the enzyme that's in your saliva that helps control fungal infections in your mouth.

 Here's hoping your husband gets a clean PET scan. I know my wife and I were on pins and needles waiting for the results of my first post treatment scan.

Best wishes,

Mike

Yes!  Thank you for the affirmation on all of that.  I was just telling my husband it was time to choke down yogurt, like it or not.  Acidophilus and probiotics are in there and help with everything digestive.  He is willing to try anything right now.  Also didn't think of the dry mouth contributing and vica versa.  This is a likely fact for him as well.

I appreciate your comments, as always.

My best,

Kara

If it is not thrush than it is likely "black hairy tongue". Don't let the word black fool you, it can be yellow too. It is hard for the surface of the tongue to flush away dead cells during/after radiation treatment. And the build up of these dead cells can cause this. Good news is that following good oral hygiene (including brushing your tongue several times a day) can take care of things. 

Here is a picture I pulled from the web.

And here is a site that will give some more info on what to do if you think that's what he has. http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.3221