Monday, April 29, 2024

Hairy Tongue: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

tongue with hair

Black hairy tongue is a condition of the tongue that gives it a dark, furry look. The look usually results from a buildup of dead skin cells on the many tiny, rounded bumps on the surface of the tongue. When these bumps become longer than usual, they can easily trap and be stained by tobacco, food, drinks, bacteria or yeast, or other substances. The condition can most often be treated by improving your oral hygiene routine, including brushing your tongue.

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What is white tongue?

While the diagnosis is clinical, tongue biopsy may rarely be required to clarify the diagnosis if the lesion does not respond to conservative management. Tongue problems may include a tongue that’s painful, enlarged or swollen, oddly textured or an unusual color, like white, yellow, brown or black. Infection, inflammation and conditions you’re born with or develop later in life can all cause symptoms affecting your tongue. Use your toothbrush on your tongue or a tongue scraper every day to treat black hairy tongue at home. Most of the time, black hairy tongue goes away without medical intervention.

How do you get rid of black hairy tongue?

Tongue bumps can be caused by a variety of reasons, from something as simple as biting or burning your tongue to a health condition that requires medical attention. If a bump on your tongue doesn’t go away on its own, contact a healthcare provider to diagnose the bump and set you up on a treatment plan if necessary. Since some tongue bumps are symptoms of other conditions, like syphilis or oral herpes, a healthcare provider may run some tests to confirm a diagnosis. Oral allergy syndrome is a type of allergic reaction that can happen when you eat certain raw fruits or vegetables. The most common symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include swelling and itching of the tongue, lips, or throat. If your white tongue doesn’t return to a normal color after a few weeks, see your provider or dentist.

Management and Treatment

tongue with hair

The bump usually goes away in a day or two but may show up again. There are many types of bumps (papillae) on the tongue, each with its own purpose. One such bump, fungiform papillae bumps are located on the sides and top of the tongue, mostly at the tip.

How is white tongue treated?

Read on to learn about different types of spots, what they look like, and when you should see your doctor. In most cases, tongue movement issues are due to nerve damage. With nerve damage, the muscles that control your tongue may be weak or paralyzed. Your tongue runs from your hyoid bone (located in the middle of your neck) to the floor of your mouth. A 2020 article indicates that there is a genetic cause of tongue-tie. Treatment typically includes topical steroids if ulcers are present.

Unlike the fungus that causes oral thrush, leukoplakia occurs due to cell overgrowth in your mouth. They can develop bumps, change color, or become hairy in appearance. Oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by conditions that weaken the immune system. Oral hairy leukoplakia may also happen in other people with suppressed immune systems. This includes organ transplant recipients, people with cancer, and people taking systemic or inhaled steroids. The filiform papillae can grow up to 18 mm in length—a ‘hairy’ appearance [4].

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Symptoms

A pale and smooth tongue can be caused by iron deficiency anemia or by pernicious anemia, which is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12. DermNet does not provide an online consultation service. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice. DermNet does not provide an online consultation service.If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice.

What can I do at home to treat white tongue?

A complete head and neck examination, with careful assessment for lymphadenopathy, is essential. Tongue problems or changes in your tongue may be a sign of short-term or long-term (chronic) conditions. They range in severity from simple first-degree burns from eating hot foods to more serious conditions like oral cancer. Dentists are trained to examine your mouth and tongue for signs of oral cancer and other conditions. It’s a good idea to see your dentist twice per year for a thorough exam. To keep your tongue healthy, practice good oral hygiene.

The caveat with glosses, though, is that they can only add pigment or darken your hair color. A gloss does not have the ability to lighten hair, says Thompson. But if this is a serious treatment you’re looking into, rest assured it’s safe for most hair types. Sherry also recommends doing a patch test if you have any concerns. Diagnosing bumps on the tongue will likely involve a physical exam by a healthcare provider. The provider will look inside your mouth and at your tongue to check for bumps or other symptoms.

But you might want to get treated if it lasts longer or if you want to get rid of it sooner. Treatments for white tongue vary based on symptoms and causes. Although rare, white tongue is sometimes a symptom of oral cancer. A white tongue involves having a thick white film coating your tongue.

You should also get checked if your tongue hurts, itches or you have trouble eating or speaking. Or they can check to be sure it’s not a more serious condition. You should also make an appointment if you have these symptoms with a weak immune system or HIV. But you can reduce your chances by practicing good oral hygiene.

Though it may not look good, it's usually a short-term, harmless condition. A hairy tongue is not something you see every day, but it's not entirely uncommon either. When this condition develops, it's usually because of a medication you're taking or a buildup of food, bacteria, yeast, and/or other debris.

The cone-like hairs on your tongue are called filiform papillae, and they are usually only about 1 millimeter long. In about 13% of the population, though, these "hairs" grow longer and darker. Here, we will discuss what hairy tongue is, how it can be triggered and how it may be treated or prevented. Although it may seem unpleasant, hairy tongue is a relatively harmless condition that can be easily dealt with in most cases. Hairy tongue is a medical condition where the surface of the tongue takes on a discolored and furry appearance.

Bumps, patches, and spots in your mouth can be harmless. But sometimes, they can give clues to what’s going on with your overall health. Infections, stress, medication issues, and even aging can make their marks on your tongue. Find out what your tongue is telling you and when you should see your doctor or dentist.

Changes in the appearance of your tongue could indicate an underlying condition. If your symptoms last longer than a couple of weeks, schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. A black and hairy tongue may look concerning, but it’s usually harmless.

When you brush and floss your teeth, don’t forget to clean your tongue, too. You should also visit your dentist for routine cleanings and examinations. If soreness and bumps don’t go away within a couple of weeks, this could be a sign of oral cancer. A healthcare professional can diagnose a person’s condition and investigate whether they have any underlying conditions that need treatment. But it can be a warning sign of HIV or a severe immune system problem.

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