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$Title{Tongue, Hairy}
$Subject{Tongue Hairy Lingua Nigra Black Hairy Tongue }
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Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

331:
Tongue, Hairy

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Hairy Tongue) is not the
name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate
names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Lingua Nigra
     Black Hairy Tongue

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Hairy Tongue is a disorder characterized by yellowish, brownish,
blackish, or bluish discoloration of the tongue, with excessive growth of the
threadlike elevations in front of the taste buds (filiform papillae).  These
elevations are arranged in a V-form towards the back of the tongue.  A bad
taste in the mouth usually also occurs.

Symptoms

Hairy Tongue is a disorder characterized by yellowish, brownish, blackish, or
bluish discoloration of the tongue.  Excessive growth of the filiform
papillae in front of the taste buds occurs.  Usually, Hairy Tongue has no
other symptoms.  The disorder may disappear spontaneously and may recur in
some patients.

Causes

The cause of Hairy Tongue is not always known.  The disorder may be a result
of antibiotic therapy, fever, excessive use of certain mouthwashes, or a
reduction in salivary flow.  Brown papillae usually occur from tobacco
staining or the overgrowth of bacteria.

Hairy Tongue can be a symptom of changes in the normal bacteria of the
mouth (oral flora).  Antibiotics which may be prescribed to fight bacterial
infection, sometimes kill normal bacteria that live in the mouth.  In the
absence of the normal oral flora, Hairy Tongue can appear.

Affected Population

Onset and duration of Hairy Tongue is variable.  The disorder can affect both
males and females, children and adults.

Related Disorders

Geographic Tongue is an inflammation of the tongue that may go into remission
and recur again.  This form of inflammation is characterized by irregular
denuded smooth areas (excoriations) on the tongue which may feel slightly
sore and sometimes itchy.

In Moeller's Glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), the tongue is slick,
glossy, or glazed.  The lesions are very distressing and persistent.

Median Rhomboid Glossitis is a developmental lesion of the tongue.  This
lesion consists of a smooth, reddish, nodular area on the back portion of the
middle third of the tongue.

Severe Acute Glossitis can occasionally be caused by local infection,
burns, or injury to the tongue.  This type of Glossitis may develop rapidly,
producing marked tenderness or pain with swelling.  The swelling may be
sufficient to cause the tongue to block air passages in the most severe
cases.

Burning Tongue (and/or Mouth) Syndrome causes patients to experience a
burning sensation in the mouth and/or the tongue.  There is no obvious
clinical evidence of inflammation.

Inflammation of the tongue (Glossitis) may also occur in association with
Candidiasis (Thrush), anemias, Diabetes Mellitus, latent nutritional
deficiencies, or malignancies.

For more information on the above disorders, choose the following words
as your search terms in the Rare Disease Database:  tongue, Geographic
Tongue, Burning Mouth, Candidiasis, anemia, and diabetes mellitus.

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of Hairy Tongue includes avoidance of irritants and substances
which can sensitize the tongue.  Discontinuation of antibiotics, mouthwashes,
etc., usually results in disappearance of symptoms as normal oral flora grow
in the mouth.  The symptoms of Hairy Tongue may also disappear spontaneously.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
November 1988.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate.  Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Hairy Tongue, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     NIH/National Institute of Dental Research
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-4261

     Clinical Smell and Taste Research Center
     University of Pennsylvania Hospital
     3400 Spruce Street, G1
     Philadelphia, PA  19104
     (215) 662-2653

     Department of Oral Biology
     Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center
     University of Connecticut Health Center
     Farmington, CT  06032
     (203) 674-2459

References

MERCK MANUAL OF DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY:  Robert Berkow, et al., eds; Merck,
Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, 1982.  Pp. 2094-2095.