Hair Grows in Man's Throat After Years of Heavy Smoking in Austria

In an astonishing and extremely rare medical case, a 52-year-old Austrian man who had smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for years developed hair growth inside his throat. 

This bizarre condition was reported in the American Journal of Case Reports, highlighting the unexpected and sometimes serious complications that can arise from long-term smoking.

The unnamed man, a heavy smoker, initially sought medical help in 2007 after experiencing persistent symptoms such as a hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, and a chronic cough. 

When doctors examined his throat using a bronchoscope, they found inflammation and, to their surprise, several hairs growing inside his throat. 

This unusual discovery was made in an area that had undergone surgery following a near-drowning incident during his childhood.

At the age of 10, the man had a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure to create an opening in his windpipe. 

To stabilize this opening, doctors used a skin and cartilage graft taken from his ear. 

Remarkably, this grafted area became the unlikely site where hair started to grow decades later. 

The presence of these hairs in his throat led to the diagnosis of endotracheal hair growth, a condition so rare that it has only been documented once before in medical literature.

The hairs, typically numbering six to nine and reaching lengths of about two inches, grew through his voice box and into his mouth. 

This required the man to visit the hospital annually for 14 years to have the hairs removed. 

Each year, doctors would pull out the hairs and use antibiotics to treat the infected hair follicles, providing temporary relief. 

However, the hair growth persistently returned, necessitating repeated medical interventions.

In 2022, the man's situation began to improve significantly. 

After years of battling this peculiar condition, he made the life-changing decision to quit smoking. 

This positive lifestyle change opened the door for doctors to perform a new and advanced procedure called endoscopic argon plasma coagulation. 

This technique involves using targeted energy to burn the root of the hair growth, effectively preventing any future regrowth.

The success of this procedure marked a turning point in the man's long and unusual medical journey. 

By addressing the root cause of the hair growth, doctors were able to provide a more permanent solution, offering the man relief from the recurring and distressing condition. 

The case underscores the unpredictable and severe health risks associated with long-term smoking, serving as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of this harmful habit.

While the man's story is certainly extraordinary, it also sheds light on the importance of seeking medical help for persistent health issues and the potential benefits of quitting smoking. 

His experience demonstrates the remarkable advances in medical technology and the potential for recovery and improvement, even in the face of highly unusual and rare medical conditions.