Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia on margin of tongue

Hairy Leukoplakia on tongue in HIV patient

Hairy Leukoplakia on tongue in HIV patient

What to look for

• Location is usually on the tongue but may be on the inside of the cheeks
• Skin lesion colour is usually white or grey or may be red (called erythroplakia)
• Texture of lesions may be slightly raised or thick with a hardened surface
• There might also be secondary thrush infection

At first there is no discomfort but once the patch is well formed it feels rough and stiff and may be sensitive to hot or spicy food. It sometimes forms to protect an area made sore by rubbing from a rough tooth or denture or as a protective reaction to the heat of inhaled smoke ( smoker’s keratosis.

Treatment

Dealing with the source of irritation usually sees most cases heal within a week or two – rough teeth or dentures can be filed smooth; for keratosis, advise patient to stop smoking.

If the patch has not cleared up within 3 weeks, a small tissue biopsy may be advisable to check for other causes.

Risks

Smoking and Chewing  – tobacco and other stimulants such as areca nut, betel leaf, Qat

HIV – ‘Hairy’ leukoplakia of the mouth is an unusual form of leukoplakia that is seen only in people who are HIV-positive.The symptoms of hairy leukoplakia are painless, fuzzy, white patches on the tongue.

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