If you are assessing a patient and notice a white, furry growth on the tongue, it could be a condition known as oral hairy leukoplakia. This condition may look similar to other conditions that can affect the tongue, such as thrush (candida).
What is Oral Hairy Leukoplakia?
As its name implies, this growth is found in the oral cavity and usually presents as white, furry patches on the side of the tongue. It often looks like real fur or hair growing on the tongue, but it’s not real hair. Instead, this condition is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.
It often manifests in patients who have a compromised immune system, and is commonly seen in someone who has HIV or AIDS.
Oral Hairy Leukoplakia vs Thrush (Candida)
This condition may be confused with thrush, but there are some important differences. First, thrust is caused by a yeast (candida), whereas oral hairy leukoplakia is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. In addition, thrust can often be scraped off.
Below is a picture of thrush:
However, both conditions may appear in individuals with a weakened immune system.
What Does Oral Hairy Leukoplakia Indicate?
Oral hairy leukoplakia often develops as an opportunistic infection in people with a weakened immune system. If this develops in a person with HIV, it could indicate that the person’s immune system is becoming weaker and that the virus is taking over.
Since oral hairy leukoplakia develops in patients with a weak immune system, treatment for this is often geared towards helping the immune system become stronger. Therefore, in the case of HIV, antiretroviral thearapy may be used to decrease the activity of HIV in the body.
If you notice this as a nurse, you definitely want to document this finding and report it to the healthcare team for further investigation and treatment.