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Suggest Remedy For White And Hairy Tongue

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Posted on Fri, 21 Aug 2015
Question: My tongue is hairy and white on the top and i have a lymph node above my XXXXXXX apple to the right a little. I need help. Ive been tested for HIV and came back negative but everytime i look up lymph nodes or white hairy tongue on the internet its alll about cancer or HIV. Im really scared. I need help!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
HIV associated, epstein bar virus infection, medication

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query. I have gone through your query and image.
As far as the hairy leukoplakia is concerned, I have two possibilities. It can occur in association with HIV infection. The other possible cause can be Epstein bar virus infection in immunocompromised status. Since you are telling that, you have git HIV test as negative, nothing to be panic.
You can consult a oral physician and get it evaluated. Mean while you can take a course of antiviral drugs like acyclovir or zidovudine. You can also take topical podophyllum or topical retinoids(these drugs reduces the keratinization). Do thorough tongue cleaning.
If it is not reducing even after these medicines, then you can get it removed surgically.
I hope i have answered your query. If any queries are there, reply me back.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (15 minutes later)
I also read online that if you get tested for HIV and ot comes up negative you could still have it but it just didnt show up. Ive also had that lymph node for a while. I took a z pack and it went down but it never went away. Sometimes it feels like it gets bigger and sometimes it gets smaller. So i dont have to worry about it being skmething horrible like HIV correct?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lymphnode, bacterial infection, topical medication, biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your reply.
Regarding the enlarged lymphnodes, it can be because of any infection in the teeth or gums. Since you are telling that it subsides on taking Z pack (though it doesn't go away completely), it indicates it is bacterial infection. So when you take antibiotics it might come down because antibiotics reduces the infection but its temporary. For the permanent solution, we need to treat the cause which is resulting in lymphnode enlargement. Once we treat the cause then the lymphnode enlargement will be solved permanently. So Consult a oral physician and get yourself completely examined and find out the cause.

The white patch is not exactly looking like hairy leukoplakia. It can occur in patients without HIV infection. To confirm the diagnosis you can get a biopsy done.

But right now i advise you to just observe the size of the white patch. You can also use topical antifungal agents like clotrimazole(since the fungal infection can also appear like this). You can use the medicines what i have told you in our discussion and use it for a week and let me know the response.

I hope i have answered your query.
Take care
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S

Dentist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 3377 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For White And Hairy Tongue

Brief Answer: HIV associated, epstein bar virus infection, medication Detailed Answer: Thanks for your query. I have gone through your query and image. As far as the hairy leukoplakia is concerned, I have two possibilities. It can occur in association with HIV infection. The other possible cause can be Epstein bar virus infection in immunocompromised status. Since you are telling that, you have git HIV test as negative, nothing to be panic. You can consult a oral physician and get it evaluated. Mean while you can take a course of antiviral drugs like acyclovir or zidovudine. You can also take topical podophyllum or topical retinoids(these drugs reduces the keratinization). Do thorough tongue cleaning. If it is not reducing even after these medicines, then you can get it removed surgically. I hope i have answered your query. If any queries are there, reply me back.