Schedule AnAppointment
Your tongue feels hairy. Yes, hairy. Not just that, it looks hairy, too. What has happened and what can you do to treat it?
Hairy tongue is when the bumps on the surface of the tongue enlarge, taking the appearance of small hairs. Normally, these bumps, called papillae, only grow 1 millimeter before shedding. If you have this condition, however, the hair does not shed and become elongated. The surface of the tongue can also turn brown or black if bacteria or yeast colonize the elongated papillae. About 13 percent of the population has hairy tongue.
It is not painful, but it may cause bad breath, odd sensations while swallowing, or a burning sensation on the tongue.
Some medicines, such as those used to treat acid reflux, can cause this issue. Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer treatment can sometimes cause hairy tongue.
Smoking, drinking, and excessive caffeine consumption are possible causes. Dehydration, in addition to causing problems with your voice and throat, can also cause this condition.
Finally, poor oral hygiene may cause these tongue issues.
Hairy tongue is fairly easy to get rid of if you practice good oral hygiene. This means regular brushing or scraping of the tongue, use of antibacterial mouth rinses, and good dental care.
“Hairy tongue is a benign condition treated primarily by increasing your hydration level or salivary flow and scraping or brushing the tongue,” CEENTA ENT doctor Darrell Klotz, MD, said. “Remember, the best treatment for hairy tongue is much like good summer lawn care – watering and mowing!”
If the problem arises from acid reflux medication or other medicines, talk to you doctor about any options you might have. Eliminating cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine can also help. In some instances, treatment with antifungals or antibiotics might be needed.
You might never expect your tongue to be hairy, but if it is, good hygiene and a good doctor, like those at CEENTA, can be a big help.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician. Dr. Klotz practices in our SouthPark office. To make an appointment with him or any CEENTA ENT doctor in the Charlotte region, call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.
What are mouth ulcers and how do you treat them? Find out from CEENTA head and neck cancer surgeon Joshua Kain, MD.
Have you thought about where to take your child when their ear, nose, or throat are infected? Making an ENT appointment for your child can make a huge difference in their formative years.
There's a lot to it.
