subject: Hairy Tongue Is An Abnormal Dental Condition [print this page] Hairy tongue is an unusual condition characterized by hypertrophy of the filiform papilla of the tongue, with loss of normal desquamation process thereby causing a thick matted layer on the dorsal surface. The tongue appears yellow, brown or even black and the color is mainly due to the use of tobacco or medicines, or it may be due to the microorganisms in the oral cavity
The causes of it are Candidal infections, Systemic disturbances, e.g. anemia, gastric upsets, etc, Prolonged use of antibiotics, X-ray radiation in the head-neck region, Change in oral microflora population.
Hairy tongue often causes irritation due to the accumulation of food debris and microorganisms. The hypertrophied filiform papilla often causes gagging sensations. The treatment of the condition is aimed at removing the primary causative factor and improvement of the oral hygiene.
The thyroid gland develops as an endodermal downgrowth, from the area of foramen cecum in adults. Due to some abnormality in the developmental process, a portion or the whole part of the thyroid gland may remain within the tongue tissue, which is referred as the lingual thyroid. Female people are usually more commonly affected and the condition generally manifests as a nodular, exophytic mass on the tongue.
It often causes dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, pain, hemorrhage and a filling of tightness or fullness of the throat. Microscopy reveals the presence of normal thyroid nodules within the tongue muscles and in many cases; the thyroid nodules may exhibit colloid degeneration or goiter.
The lesion clinically presents Multiple, irregular erythematous areas on the dorsum of the tongue with desquamation of the filiform papilla, These areas are surrounded by a well-defined slightly raised, yellowish white irregular margin, Within the desquamated zone, the fungi form papillae persist as few red dots, projecting over the surface, The condition remains for sometime in one location and then it gradually heals up but only to reappear in another location within a few days and thereby giving rise to an idea of migration.
It is generally a painless condition but occasionally there may be soreness or burning sensation, especially during taking hot or spicy foods, Geographic tongue may occur sometimes in relation to the scrotal tongue.
Treat by surgical excision, but care must be taken in order to be sure that the patient has a normal thyroid gland in the neck. If the lesion is small and asymptomatic, no treatment is usually required.
