KBB-Forum 2003 , Cilt 2, Sayı 2

HAIRY TONGUE

Dr. Selma KURUKAHVECİOĞLU1, Dr. Sinan KOCATÜRK1, Dr. Sumru YARDIMCI1, Dr. Tayfun DEMİRAY2, Dr. Ünsal ERKAM1
1SSK Ankara Eğitim Hastanesi, II. KBB Kliniği, Ankara, Türkiye
2SSK ankara Eğitim hastanesi, Mikrobiyoloji kliniği, Ankara, Türkiye
Hairy tongue is an acquired benign disorder characterized by an abnormal hairy coating on the dorsal surface of the tongue. The exact pathogenesis is unknown, but histopathologically there is significant retention of secondary papillary cells expressing hairy-type keratins. Several precipitating factors such as poor oral hygiene, alcohol, radiation and certain medications are implicated in this disorder. Hairy tongue has notably higher prevalence in hard smokers. In this article, hairy tongue which was thought to be caused by heavy smoking was reviewed with recent literature. We recommended him to quit smoking, oral application of betadin solution, brushing dorsal surface of tongue and application of topical retinoic acid. Keywords : Hairy tongue, Filiform papilla, Keratin