Hairy Tongue - A Series of 4 Cases

ABSTRACT

The term black hairy tongue was first coined by Amatus Lusitanus in the year 1557.1 It is a reactive hypertrophy and defective desquamation of filiform papilla causing hair-like projections usually affecting the dorsum of the tongue. Hairy tongue is known by other names such as lingua villa nigrosa. Patients with Hairy tongue is usually asymptomatic but occasionally complaints of dysgeusia, Glossopyrosis, or Halitosis. The Glossopyrosis in Hairy tongue was probably due to the growth of candidal colonies, which causes burning sensation on the affected dorsum of the tongue.Hairy tongue is a benign condition characterised by hypertrophy of Filiform Papilla on the dorsum of the tongue. Hairy tongue is prevalent among 0.4 % among south Asian Population. Hairy tongue clinically appears as elongated hair like projections on the dorsum of the tongue which gets stained blackish brown due to the presence of carbon in the tobacco smoke.CONCLUSIONSHairy tongue is usually asymptomatic. Some cases were associated with halitosis, glossopyrosis and dysgeusia (altered taste sensation), and metallic taste. A thorough detailed history is always necessary for establishing the diagnosis and treatment of hairy tongue.