Leukoplakia is a medical condition of the mouth and tongue, where white leathery patches are formed. Leukoplakia is known as Smoker keratosis and hairy Leukoplakia as well. Leukoplakia can be considered as precancerous lesion that gradually develops inside the mouth and tongue and creates irritation and uneasiness.
Like any other ulcers in mouth, leukoplakia may turn to cancerous lesion. Sometime, leukoplakia patches can develop on the external genitals of females. Leukoplakia in its rudimentary stage looks grey or white, and it is typically flat and soft.
Leukoplakia is quite prevalent among the elderly with poor immune systems and those who are have inclination towards smoking, tobacco, and alcohol. Leukoplakia mostly affects elderly people within the age group of 50 to 70 years.
Leukoplakia has various clinical appearances and it changes over time. It is believed that Leukoplakia is not harmful and dangerous, as it disappears within a few weeks. However, if it remains for prolong time; it has a greater chance of malignant transformation. The prognosis can be worse if the Leukoplakia is older than expected time.
Leukoplakia can be defined as the mucous disorder of the mouth, causing irritation. Leukoplakia is caused by smoking, tobacco, alcohol, and chewing betel. Pipe smokers have a risk of having Leukoplakia.
Hairy leukoplakia is caused by the infection of Epstein –Barr virus (EBV). This virus can attack during childhood. The virus remains inactive in the body without showing any symptoms of it presence. The studies show that this virus remains in the body for the entire life of a person. This virus is inactive and dormant most of the years, but once the immune system of the body becomes weak, the virus gets activated and attacks the person. This leads to hairy leukoplakia.
People having HIV or AIDS are prone to hairy leukoplakia.
Usually, it affects the tongue and inner part of the cheeks.
Occasionally, it affects the female genitals.
Usually, the lesion is white or gray in color.
It looks thick, hard, and slightly raised.
Symptoms of hairy leukoplakia include white patches (painless and fuzzy) on tongue.
The white patch of leukoplakia develops gradually over two to four weeks. The lesion may turn rough and hard, and it becomes sensitive to temperature, touch, and spicy foods.
Leukoplakia doesn’t permanently harm the mouth tissues, and usually it gets clear once the source of irritation is eliminated. But, leukoplakia cannot be underestimated or taken lightly, for there can be various complications. Leukoplakia can lead to cancer.
The lesions can be infected seriously, and there could be severe irritation and chronic uneasiness and discomfort.
It is important that the lesion should be removed. It is always better to eliminate the main source of irritation so the lesion may disappear.
- Dental disorder like irregular and rough denture surface should be treated soon.
- Smoking, alcohol, and chewing tobacco should be immediately stopped.
The lesion should be removed surgically in health centre or hospital by using local tranquilizer or anesthesia. Usually, a dentist diagnoses leukoplakia by testing the white patches in the mouth. And to ensure that there is no primary stage or sign of cancer, the dentist removes the sample of the tissue (biopsy) for detailed observation and analysis. After the detailed study, dentist may eliminate the entire lesion or may be a small portion of the lesion. Subsequently, the dentist decides the methods for treating Leukoplakia.
Varied research reports and studies lay emphasis on taking vitamin A and E to abate lesions. But, it is important that the victim takes medicine or vitamins under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.
The treatment of leukoplakia on the female genitals has the same methods and procedure as for oral lesions.
Try to control or completely abandon smoking, chewing tobacco, pipe smoking, and taking alcohol. If you have any dental problems such as rough and irregular denture, start the treatment immediately.
To minimize the risk of getting afflicted by sexual transmitted disease and HIV, safer sexual practice is advised.
If you feel any irritation in the mouth or tongue, you must contact your doctor for proper diagnosis. If the doctor finds that you are affected by Leukoplakia, you must take proper treatment to avoid further progression. It is advisable that if you see any symptoms of leukoplakia, you must immediately leave smoking and chewing tobacco,.
It is necessary and imperative that you must have awareness and information relating leukoplakia. This will help you take precautions to prevent leukoplakia from attacking you.
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