Black hairy tongue in infant

Abstract

Introduction: Black hairy tongue is an acquired benign disorder, of unusual presentation in pediatrics. It consists of a benign glossitis characterized by a hypertrophy of the lingual filiform papillae, with increased keratinization, which conditions that the surface acquires a hairy appearance with a color that varies from blackish brown to black, due to the presence of microorganisms that produce chromogenic substances.

Objective: Describe the main characteristics of this entity and review the most current concepts.

Case Presentation: A 10-month-old infant who is taken to the consultation when the mother notices that the child had a black tongue, with a history of having been treated with cephalexin due to a contagious impetigo 10 days before. Physical examination showed an increase in volume of the lingual filiform papillae, possibly linked to the use of the antibiotic, associated with a defective cleaning of the tongue. In the microbiological study, Candida albicans was isolated, which was considered as a concomitant finding. The treatment consisted of tongue cleaning measures with good response.

Conclusions: Black hairy tongue is a rare self-limiting disease in infants, with a clinical diagnosis and a good prognosis. Treatment should be aimed at the use of hygienic measures, as first-line therapy. Antifungal treatment is usually unnecessary. As far as we know, this is the first case in Cuba, documented in the medical literature.