Radiation Effects in Mouth

[Patti]

Here's a gross topic.  I should be embarrassed to bring it up, but no one here knows me, so here it is! I am 3 1/2 months post SRS.  I have discovered that I have black, hairy tongue!!!!!!!!!!!!! My local GP gave me liquid Nystatin.  Is this a side-effect of radiation?  Has anyone ever had it? Why at this time? Ugh!  Patti

[PaulW]

Hmmm at first I thought Black Hairy Tongue, unlikely that would be caused by radiation..... But maybe it is a factor...

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/black-hairy-tongue

Radiation, surgery, and acoustic neuromas in general can cause problems with the facial nerve.
The facial nerve also controls saliva. So a broken facial nerve means less saliva

One of the causes of Black Hairy Tongue is lack of saliva

So the black hairy tongue is probably a result of the status of your facial nerve

[Patti]

Thank God my husband and I have biology backgrounds and recognized this before it got that bad!  You have to google it if you want a good laugh! Almost better already!

[Patti]

I saw the Physicians Assistant yesterday and she said that she has seen it happen during radiation treatments of the face and neck, not 3 months after.  She attributes it to my asthma medication and a drop in my immunity due to stress.  I can agree with that.