Black Hairy Tongue

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

desquamation of the filiform papillae. Despite the name the tongue may be brown, green, pink or another colour.

Question 2

predisposing factors

Answer 2

poor oral hygiene
antibiotics
head and neck radiation
HIV
intravenous drug use

Question 3

Ix

Answer 3

swab to exclude candida

Question 4

Mx

Answer 4

tongue scraping
topical antifungals if Candida