Black hairy tongue treated with traditional Chinese medicine: A case report.

RATIONALE: Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a rare condition that is conventionally managed by discontinuing associated medications or habits and practicing good oral hygiene, including tongue brushing. Previous studies have indicated that black tongue coating is often associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could be a potentially effective option for treating this condition with minimal side effects. We present a case of BHT diagnosed and treated within 2 weeks by using TCM methods. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old woman presented with a chief concern of a black tongue that had persisted for 2 weeks and was accompanied by thirst and diarrhea. These symptoms were initially observed during her hospitalization for the treatment of staghorn calculi, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, and urosepsis. Using the "four diagnostic methods" of TCM, we observed that her tongue had a thick black coating surrounded by a thick white coating; her tongue was of medium size with tooth marks, and its body color was light red. DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: On the basis of TCM theory, we made a clinical diagnosis of BHT and "spleen Qi deficiency with turbid dampness," which may have been caused by the antibiotic treatment during hospitalization. Subsequently, we administered a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formula comprising a combination of Wu-Ling-San () and a modification of Da-Yuan-Yin (). After 2 weeks of CHM treatment, the patient's BHT was nearly eliminated, and the thick white coating and the corresponding symptoms were ameliorated. After 4 weeks of CHM treatment, the BHT was completely resolved. LESSON AND CONCLUSION: We present a case of BHT, a benign condition that may be caused by antibiotics. The literature does not contain reports on TCM-based diagnosis and treatment strategies for BHT. Using the 4 diagnostic methods of TCM, we observed that BHT was associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, which is consistent with the TCM theory. Moreover, CHM treatment rapidly relieved BHT and related symptoms without adverse events.

A Case of Lingua Villosa Nigra (Black Hairy Tongue) in a 3-Month-Old Infant.

BACKGROUND Black hairy tongue is a self-limiting, usually asymptomatic, benign lesion that most often affects men and people aged over 30-40 years. The lesion is extremely rare among newborns and infants. Lingua villosa nigra is characterized by the presence of elongated filiform papillae of the dorsum of the tongue, which gives a hairy appearance. The overgrown papillae can accumulate fungi, bacteria, pigments originating from food, or any other debris that can contribute to the discoloration of the tongue. The prognosis for black hairy tongue is positive. Gentle tongue brushing or scraping as well as the elimination of predisposing factors usually leads to cessation of the lesion. CASE REPORT A generally healthy, exclusively breastfed 3-month-old female baby was admitted to the Oral Pathology Department of Wroclaw Medical University due to a persistent tongue lesion. Intraorally, dark, blackish, elongated tongue papillae were observed. Three weeks earlier, the baby's pediatrician had diagnosed thrush and prescribed systemic antifungal treatment with Nystatinum, without prior mycological examination. The lesion did not resolve and the girl was referred to the Department of Oral Pathology. A meticulous medical and dietary interview revealed that since the 28th day of life the baby had been supplemented with vitamin C. This, together with an intraoral examination, led to the diagnosis of black hairy tongue. The lesion disappeared partially after 4 weeks of tongue brushing. CONCLUSIONS To prevent infants from undergoing persistent and unnecessary treatment (topical or systemic drugs) or additional diagnostic procedures, such as biopsy, it is essential to be familiar with the characteristics of lingua villosa nigra as well as its origin and management. The consideration of this condition is invaluable for babies' health and safety.

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

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.

Diseases of the tongue.

The tongue is a complex organ involved in speech and expression as well as in gustation, mastication, and deglutition. The oral cavity, along with the tongue, are sites of neoplasms, reactive processes, and infections, and may be a harbinger of systemic diseases. This review includes both common and rare diseases that occur on the tongue, including: vascular and lymphatic lesions (infantile hemangiomas and oral varices), reactive and inflammatory processes (hairy tongue, pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue, benign migratory glossitis, and fissured tongue), infections (oral hairy leukoplakia, herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus infections, human papillomavirus, and candidiasis), premalignant lesions (leukoplakia and erythroplakia), malignant lesions (squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, and lymphoproliferative diseases), and signs of systemic disease (nutritional deficiency and systemic amyloidosis).

Lengua negra vellosa / Beautiful black tongue

La lengua negra vellosa es una patología benigna relativamente frecuente, caracterizada por una coloración pardo-negruzca de la superficie lingual asociada a hipertrofia de papilas filiformes dando aspecto de vellosidades. Los factores de riesgo son amplios y de exposición cotidiana (antibióticos, alcohol, tabaco, higiene dental deficiente). Entre sus diagnósticos diferenciales es útil recordar aquellos asociados con neoplasias o inmunocompromiso (acantosis nigricans oral, leucoplasia vellosa, etc.). Su diagnóstico es clínico; sin embargo, cuando las causas o historia no son claras, la exploración clínica es atípica o hay refractariedad sistemática a los tratamientos habituales, se debe plantear un estudio ampliado (AU)

Black hairy tongue is a relatively common benign disease, characterized by brown-black discoloration and hypertrophic tongue surface, giving aspect of villi. Risk factors are broad and from daily exposure (antibiotics, alcohol, tobacco, poor dental hygiene). Among its differential diagnoses it is useful to recall those associated with malignancies or immunocompromise (oral acanthosis nigricans, hairy leukoplakia, etc.). Diagnosis is clinical, but when the causes are unclear, history or clinical examination is atypical, or treatment is refractory, it should be considered an extended study (AU)

Black hairy tongue syndrome.

Black hairy tongue (BHT) is a benign medical condition characterized by elongated filiform lingual papillae with typical carpet-like appearance of the dorsum of the tongue. Its prevalence varies geographically, typically ranging from 0.6% to 11.3%. Known predisposing factors include smoking, excessive coffee/black tea consumption, poor oral hygiene, trigeminal neuralgia, general debilitation, xerostomia, and medication use. Clinical presentation varies but is typically asymptomatic, although aesthetic concerns are common. Differential diagnosis includes pseudo-BHT, acanthosis nigricans, oral hairy leukoplakia, pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue, and congenital melanocytic/melanotic nevi/macules. Clinical diagnosis relies on visual observation, detailed history taking, and occasionally microscopic evaluation. Treatment involves identification and discontinuation of the offending agent, modifications of chronic predisposing factors, patient's re-assurance to the benign nature of the condition, and maintenance of adequate oral hygiene with gentle debridement to promote desquamation. Complications of BHT (burning mouth syndrome, halitosis, nausea, gagging, dysgeusia) typically respond to therapy. Prognosis is excellent with treatment of underlying medical conditions. BHT remains an important medical condition which may result in additional burden on the patient and health care system and requires appropriate prevention, recognition and treatment.