What Causes Purple Tongue After Having Antibiotics For Cellulitis?

Posted on Fri, 27 Feb 2015

Question: I'm being treated for cellulitous of both legs for five weeks now i"ve been on water tablets and anti- biotics the whole time, my tongue for the past two weeks has turned purple and feels like I have burnt it on hot tea please help

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Associated with stagnation of blood

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

A long course of antibiotics can cause stagnation of the blood and fluids in the body. The purplish hue of the tongue could indicate that the blood is stagnant and not circulating properly because of heat / dehydration. This is sometimes due to cold. As the core body temperature drops the blood flow slows. This will eventually lead to emotional instability and depression as well.

This can be thought due to the effects of prolonged antibiotic use and various interactions it has on other medicines that you take.

I suggest you to take ample amounts of water and take further advise from your doctor about discontinuation of the unnecessary antibiotics if the healing of cellulitis is proper.

Hope this helps you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (4 hours later)

would this also account for the hardness I have round both my calves which ive had since the beginning and hasn't varied except in the evenings when they seem to be tighter and painful to the touch, and I"d like to thankyou so much for helping me understand I was so depressed last night

Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes

Detailed Answer:
Dehydration and stagnation can account for calf stiffness. There will be electrolyte imbalance noted hence pain.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli