Black Hairy Tongue: Predisposing Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Abstract

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a benign condition commonly found among people who smoke, have poor oral hygiene, are immunocompromised, or have a medical condition limiting their ability to practice good oral hygiene. Though this condition is harmless, patients need to be educated on etiology as many common medications are associated with this condition. Patients being placed on certain antibiotics or antipsychotics should be educated on the importance of good oral hygiene or cessation of habits that promote BHT. Similarly, those with medical conditions increasing the risk for the development of BHT should schedule routine visits with their dentist or dental hygienist. Prognosis is good, and treatment consists of gentle brushing of the tongue, but many anecdotal reports exist demonstrating the use of medications or other products to treat this condition. This review addresses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, etiology, histology, differential diagnosis, and treatment of BHT and lists all of the medications reported to cause this condition.

• Authors: Emma Schlager, Chelsea St Claire, Kurt Ashack, Amor Khachemoune
• Journal: American journal of clinical dermatology (Am J Clin Dermatol) Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 563-569 (Aug 2017) ISSN: 1179-1888 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 28247090 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Antipsychotic Agents

Topics

• Age Distribution
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (adverse effects)
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects)
• Dermoscopy (methods)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host
• Oral Hygiene (methods)
• Patient Education as Topic
• Prognosis
• Radiotherapy (adverse effects)
• Risk Factors
• Smoking (adverse effects)
• Tongue, Hairy (diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, therapy)