Objective:

To assess whet

Introduction:

The black hairy tongue is characterized by the elongation and pigmentation of taste buds, giving them a hair-like appearance. It is a rare benign disease with a clinical diagnosis, without the need for diagnostic complementary exams.

Case description:

The case of a 34 years old man, a smoker, who came to an emergency consultation complaining of tongue color change, dysgeusia, glossodynia, and halitosis after doing the antibiotic treatment to eradicate Helicobacter pylori is reported. Examining the oral cavity, greenish hair-like projections were observed on the tongue dorsum, not removable with rubbing. Black hairy tongue, with a fungal infection, was considered as a probable diagnosis due to its clinical characteristics. After applying the topical antifungal nystatin, adequate oral hygiene, and reduction of tobacco consumption, a complete clinical resolution was achieved within 14 days.

Comments:

In the present case an uncommon pathology of the oral mucosa in general and family medicine practice is exposed, where the anamnesis and the physical exam are the key pieces for the diagnosis. The reported case allows the corroboration of black hairy tongue possible etiologies described in the scientific literature, such as the antibiotic amoxicillin and smoking habits. It is, also, a therapeutic efficacy case of the approach used.

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