In a recent report published in the American Journal of Case Reports in mid-June, researchers described a rare case of a 52-year-old man who had hair growing in his throat after years of smoking. The patient first sought medical attention in 2007, about 17 years after he started smoking, experiencing symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and chronic coughing.
A bronchoscopy revealed inflammation and hair growth in the area of the throat where the patient had previously undergone surgery. The man was diagnosed with endotracheal hair growth, which was causing him discomfort and breathing difficulties. Despite efforts to remove the hairs, they continued to grow back, leading to recurrent hospital visits over a 14-year period.
The patient’s condition was traced back to a tracheostomy he had received at the age of 10 after nearly drowning. The surgical procedure involved using skin and cartilage from his ear, which later led to hair growth around the graft site, causing ongoing issues for the patient. Doctors attempted to manage the symptoms with antibiotics, but a long-term solution was needed.
By 2022, medical professionals had developed a successful treatment plan for the patient. They instructed him to quit smoking and performed endoscopic argon plasma coagulation to burn the root of the growing hair. This approach effectively addressed the underlying issue and provided relief from his symptoms.
Despite there being 28.3 million smokers in the U.S., cases of endotracheal hair growth are extremely rare. The man’s case was only the second of its kind reported, with doctors attributing the condition to his smoking habit. Cigarette smoke was believed to have triggered inflammation in the patient’s throat tissue, leading to the formation of hair follicles and subsequent hair growth in his throat.