Following the consumption of cigarettes, an individual from Ohio reportedly encountered a peculiar reaction resulting in the discoloration and hairiness of his tongue, a condition commonly known as hairy tongue.
In a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was documented that a man from Ohio experienced an unusual reaction after smoking cigarettes and taking antibiotics. This led to the green discoloration and hair-like appearance of his tongue.
The patient, a 64-year-old smoker, sought medical assistance a few weeks after noticing the change in color and the growth of fur on his tongue, resembling the transformation seen in werewolves. The doctors diagnosed him with a condition called hairy tongue, which occurs when the filiform papillae, the tiny taste bud-containing bumps on the tongue, enlarge and become discolored due to a buildup of bacteria and debris.
The enlarged and discolored filiform papillae on the man’s tongue resembled hairs, which can grow up to an inch long if not regularly scraped. They can also trap bacteria, food particles, and yeast, creating a net-like structure on the tongue. The substances caught in this net contribute to the hairy appearance and can affect the person’s sense of taste.
According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, hairy tongue can appear in various colors such as brown, white, green, or pink, depending on the cause and other factors such as mouthwashes or candy.
Hairy tongue is typically associated with inadequate oral hygiene and tends to affect adults over the age of 40, with a higher prevalence among men. Smoking worsens this condition by promoting the accumulation of bacteria and plaque on the tongue.
In this particular case, the patient’s hairy tongue may have been caused by smoking, antibiotic use, or a combination of both. The medical team later discovered that the man had recently completed a course of the antibiotic clindamycin to treat a gum infection. The use of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of microorganisms in the mouth, altering their numbers and types and leading to their accumulation on the tongue’s surface.
Fortunately, hairy tongue is generally a temporary and harmless condition, with the most notable symptom being a burning sensation on the tongue.
Patients can alleviate this condition by gently scrubbing the tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper. In the Ohio man’s case, he was advised to perform this oral hygiene routine four times a day.
The doctors also recommended that the patient quit smoking, acknowledging the association between smoking and the condition.
After six months, the hairy appearance of the patient’s tongue had completely disappeared, even though he had not stopped smoking.
To prevent the occurrence of hairy tongue, doctors recommend maintaining good oral hygiene. Brushing the top of the tongue with a toothbrush should be part of regular daily oral hygiene activities. However, some individuals may be sensitive and experience a tendency to gag during this procedure. Using a small brush and gradually moving backward can help alleviate this problem.
It is worth noting that hairy tongue, despite its unusual nature, is surprisingly prevalent, affecting approximately 13% of adults at some point in their lives.
In a peculiar incident in 2022, an Indian man encountered an extraordinary situation where his tongue became covered in black hair, which is the most common type of hairy tongue, following a stroke.
Medical professionals suspected that the growth of hair on his tongue, known as “lingual fur-festation,” was due to the patient’s diet consisting primarily of soft foods and liquids. This dietary regimen was recommended due to his medical condition, as these softer options do not provide the same level of abrasion to the tongue’s surface as harder foods would.