Black Hairy Tongue

Landranger25
Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Went to the dentist for my usual 6 month checkup and my hygenist (the person who discovered my swollen lymoh node 6 months ago) said that I have "hairy black tongue". (Dark colored bacteria growing on the surface of my tongue) She said it was not uncommon for someone suffering with dry mouth from radiation treatment and that it would eventually go away with good oral hygene. I have been doing everything she suggested including brushing regularly including my tongue as well as using the tongue scraper she gave me. I can't get all the way back on my tongue with it without gagging but use it on as much of my tongue as I can get to. Anybody else have this? Add'l advice? Thanks in advance.

Mike

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Fungus
    Mike

    Yes I had this when going through chemo and was told it was a fungus. I can’t remember what they gave me for it but it worked in no time to get ride of the stuff. You might want to give your chemo doctor a call and let them know about it. From what I understand the chemo kills all the good bacteria in your body and the bad stuff takes over.

    Take care my friend
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #3
    Hairy tongue
    That reminds me of a story that my reconstruction surgeon told me. He said that if he took the muscle from my chest to rebuild my tongue. Since I have a relatively hairy chest, I was concerned about hair growing on my tongue. He said I could always shave it or have it waxed when the hair became unbearable.
  • Landranger25
    Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
    #4
    SASH said:

    Hairy tongue
    That reminds me of a story that my reconstruction surgeon told me. He said that if he took the muscle from my chest to rebuild my tongue. Since I have a relatively hairy chest, I was concerned about hair growing on my tongue. He said I could always shave it or have it waxed when the hair became unbearable.

    Thanks Hondo, Sash
    I see the surgeon tomorrow afternoon and will ask him about something to get rid of this. I don't see the Oncologist until the 15th of January. I also intend to get more information regarding my PET scan of 2 weeks ago. He should have all the pictures and report. Sash, did the Doc end up using your chest muscle? Is the shaving and waxing a pain? Thanks again guys, I sure appreciate you being here.

    Mike
  • fishingirl
    fishingirl Member Posts: 188
    #5
    SASH said:

    Hairy tongue
    That reminds me of a story that my reconstruction surgeon told me. He said that if he took the muscle from my chest to rebuild my tongue. Since I have a relatively hairy chest, I was concerned about hair growing on my tongue. He said I could always shave it or have it waxed when the hair became unbearable.

    lol! Geesh you're funny
    lol! Geesh you're funny Sash!! I'd have it waxed...lasts longer:)
    cindy
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #6
    Landranger25 said:

    Thanks Hondo, Sash
    I see the surgeon tomorrow afternoon and will ask him about something to get rid of this. I don't see the Oncologist until the 15th of January. I also intend to get more information regarding my PET scan of 2 weeks ago. He should have all the pictures and report. Sash, did the Doc end up using your chest muscle? Is the shaving and waxing a pain? Thanks again guys, I sure appreciate you being here.

    Mike

    Muscle for flap
    Actually they were originally going to use muscle from my back, but decided in surgery that wouldn't be good having to flip me over a few times during surgery so they opted for stomach. They prepped the area, cut where they were going to need and when the path report came back showing only scar tissue and dead cancer cells they just stapled me back together. So now I have a nice scar on my stomach in the shape of a tongue, or close to it. The ultimate tribute to the Rolling Stones.
  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #7
    fishingirl said:

    lol! Geesh you're funny
    lol! Geesh you're funny Sash!! I'd have it waxed...lasts longer:)
    cindy

    Laser Treatment
    I asked about doing laser treatment on it, but they thought because this would be in my mouth, it might not work well. Man shaving cream tastes bad.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    SASH said:

    Laser Treatment
    I asked about doing laser treatment on it, but they thought because this would be in my mouth, it might not work well. Man shaving cream tastes bad.

    Tongue
    Look at the good side the tongue shape on your stomach is better the being on your butt. It is so good to be able to laugh through all of our pain.

Discussion Boards