What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• HIV-Associated Hairy Leukoplakia
• OHL (Oral Hairy Leukoplakia)
• Oral Hairy Leukoplakia (OHL)

What is Hairy Leukoplakia? (Definition/Background Information)

• Hairy Leukoplakia is an oral cavity condition involving the tongue that is marked by white irregular patches on the tongue sides. It is often associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and predominantly seen in HIV-infected or AIDS patients
• The condition is typically asymptomatic. However, treating the underlying cause of Hairy Leukoplakia is important to improve the overall outcomes. In many cases, the prognosis of the condition is unpredictable

Who gets Hairy Leukoplakia? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Hairy Leukoplakia is generally observed in adults, especially those with HIV infection or AIDS
• Both males and females are affected
• Worldwide, there is no racial or ethnic preference observed

What are the Risk Factors for Hairy Leukoplakia? (Predisposing Factors)

The risk factors for Hairy Leukoplakia include:

• HIV infection or AIDS is a primary risk factor for the condition
• Conditions or factors causing a weak immune system in the individual, such as cancer therapy or organ transplant, may increase one’s risk for Hairy Leukoplakia
• Chronic graft versus host disease
• Smoking history
• Behcet’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

In some individuals, a combination of risk factors may be noted.

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Hairy Leukoplakia? (Etiology)

• Hairy Leukoplakia is believed to be caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) against a background of poor immunity mostly from HIV infection or AIDS
• The presence of Hairy Leukoplakia may indicate an immunocompromised state of the affected individual

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hairy Leukoplakia?

The signs and symptoms of Hairy Leukoplakia may include:

• Presence of painless white patches on the sides of the tongue that resemble oral thrush
• These irregular patches appear “hairy” or corrugated with tiny protrusions
• Rarely, the patches may involve other mouth parts too
• Severe conditions may cause eating difficulties and oral discomfort

Additional signs and symptoms of any underlying condition may be noted.

How is Hairy Leukoplakia Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Hairy Leukoplakia may involve the following exams and procedures:

• Physical examination of the individual and medical history evaluation, including evaluation to gather information related to one’s immune status
• Oral cavity examination
• Dermoscopy: Dermoscopy is a diagnostic tool where a dermatologist examines the skin using a special magnified lens
• Wood’s lamp examination: In this procedure, the healthcare provider examines the skin using ultraviolet light. It is performed to examine the change in skin pigmentation
• Skin biopsy: A skin tissue biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination. The pathologist examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis

Additional tests and examinations to diagnose the underlying condition, if any present, may be noted.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Hairy Leukoplakia?

The possible complications due to Hairy Leukoplakia include:

• Emotional stress due to cosmetic issues
• Superimposed bacterial and fungal skin infections
• Recurrence of the white patches, which may indicate that the treatment is ineffective
• Treatment complications
• Complications that develop from HIV infection or AIDS may be severe

How is Hairy Leukoplakia Treated?

There is no specific treatment for this mouth condition; it is known to be self-limited in some cases. The healthcare provider may recommend the following treatment measures for Hairy Leukoplakia:

• Treating the underlying condition causing weak immunity such as undertaking treatment for HIV infection or AIDS
• Administration of antiviral medication
• Antibiotic or antifungal therapy for secondary infections

Regular follow up visits with the healthcare provider is important and recommended.

How can Hairy Leukoplakia be Prevented?

Hairy Leukoplakia may be prevented by considering the following steps:

• Considering preventive measures to reduce the risk for HIV infection
• Taking early treatment for any underlying medical condition that leads to poor immunity

What is the Prognosis of Hairy Leukoplakia? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Hairy Leukoplakia depends on the severity and nature of the underlying condition
• In most cases, the appearance of white patches on the tongue is not a significant concern, but the underlying cause of Hairy Leukoplakia needs immediate medical attention

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Hairy Leukoplakia:

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/dental-health/