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Warning-sign checks

Black hairy tongue: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Black hairy tongue itself does not usually cause an emergency.

    Call emergency services for trouble breathing, severe difficulty swallowing, drooling with an inability to swallow, or rapid swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek a prompt medical or dental assessment for a mouth lesion that is painful, hard, ulcerated, bleeding, growing, or located mainly on the side or underside of the tongue.

    People with a weakened immune system should also seek advice about new or persistent mouth changes.

    These symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction or another urgent condition and should not be attributed to hairy tongue.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment with a dentist or doctor if the tongue change is unexplained, does not begin to improve with gentle oral care, repeatedly returns, or causes troublesome taste, breath, burning, or gagging.

    Follow-up is also appropriate if dry mouth is ongoing or if a medicine may be contributing.

The article also says

Once the discoloration clears, continued gentle tongue cleaning and management of contributing factors may reduce the chance that it returns.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Black hairy tongue. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.