In our league, the taste buds are located, a type of sensory receptors that are responsible for providing us with information, among other things, about the taste of the things we put in our mouth. Depending on their characteristics and the area where they are located, they can detect specific tastes and stimuli, which is why we can distinguish different types of taste buds.
As their name indicates, the filiform papillae are a type that is shaped like a thread, so when they become inflamed, they can cause us to feel the sensation of having hair on the tongue and in the throat. This condition, known as hairy tongue syndrome, is intensified because, due to the accumulation of bacteria, they can turn a dark color that makes it appear that we have hair on the tongue. If you want to know this condition in-depth: what causes it, what symptoms it manifests, and the treatment to be carried out, we recommend that you continue reading this article by FastlyHealabout the sensation of hair on the tongue and throat – tongue syndrome fluffy.
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Why do I feel the hair on my tongue?
Although this condition is medically known as hairy tongue syndrome, the reality is that this does not imply that there are hairs on the tongue; it is based on the visual appearance and the sensations that patients usually describe. Unlike a healthy and everyday language, people with a hairy black tongue see how their tongue turns a dark or black color, and the person usually feels like they have hair in that area.
In this area of the body are located the filiform papillae, a type of taste buds in the form of filaments that extend over the surface of our tongue and allow us to notice sensations such as touch or temperature. If the bacterial activity on the language is triggered, these filaments can turn a dark color and become inflamed, creating the feeling of having hair on the tongue and giving its surface the same visual appearance as hair.
Feeling hairs in the mouth: causes
The exact cause of hairy tongue syndrome cannot be categorically established in many cases. However, there are several causes that, alone or together, can end up causing hypertrophy of the filiform papillae and the development of hairy tongue syndrome. Here we list some of the most prominent causes :
- I was overeating sugar.
- Indiscriminate use of peroxide mouthwashes.
- People on antibiotic treatment.
- Low levels of vitamin A.
- Smoke.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Immunosuppressed people.
- To drink alcohol.
- Breathe through the mouth.
- I was consuming too much tea or coffee.
- The consumption of corticosteroids.
- Application of hydrogen peroxide topically.
- Patients with trigeminal neuralgia .
- People on a prolonged period of a soft diet due to the lack of hard foods that “clean” the over-accumulation of residues on the tongue.
Hairy tongue: symptoms
On many occasions, hairy tongue syndrome is asymptomatic; that is, the patient can have this condition for a long time without being aware of what is happening to him. However, in other cases, the affected person may notice one or more of the following symptoms :
- Ardor
- Itch
- Taste disturbances
- Halitosis
The main symptom of this condition is the Feeling of having hair on the tongue caused by the hypertrophy of the papillae on the surface of the language. At first, this can only cause discomfort, but over time, especially if an infection ends, the patient may notice pain, inflammation, and itching on the surface. If not treated correctly, the disease becomes almost inevitable since the length of the papillae will cause food to accumulate, increasing the risk of infection.
Usually, when the infection is bacterial, the tongue’s surface turns black, something that usually ends up causing halitosis. On the other hand, depending on how long the pupils are, the person may feel nauseous.
Hairy tongue: treatment
We cannot speak of a single treatment for hairy tongue syndrome; to eliminate the Feeling of having hair on the tongue, specific treatment should be done depending on the cause that caused it. However, there are several unavoidable aspects to treating hairy tongue:
- Maintain correct and complete oral hygiene.
- Refrain from consuming alcohol.
- Stop using tobacco.
If the hair on the tongue has appeared as a result of antibiotic treatment, it will generally return to its normal condition after the treatment is finished and the bacterial balance is restored to your tongue.
In cases where the condition’s origin is in a vitamin A deficiency, the consumption of food and even vitamin supplements can help improve it.
If hairy tongue syndrome is still in an early stage, when it is still asymptomatic, an excellent oral cleaning: using a cleanser for the dorsal surface is usually enough to prevent particles from accumulating and for the condition to subside.
Treatment of hairy tongue syndrome
When this condition has developed and begins to manifest the first symptoms, its treatment is usually based on a specific hygienic method. At this point, it is essential to visit a dentist to design a particular cure that, in most cases, is:
- Administration of antifungals, when caused by oral candidiasis
- Brush your teeth and tongue with a keratolytic-impregnated brush.
- Trichloroacetic acid solutions
On the other hand, as we have commented previously, it will be necessary to bear in mind the triggers of this condition to prevent them as much as possible.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Feeling of hair on the tongue and throat – hairy tongue syndrome, we recommend that you enter our category of Teeth and mouth .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.