Smoking causes many health issues, but have you ever heard of hair growing in the throat? This unusual problem affected an Austrian man who faced severe issues due to smoking. Let's dive into his bizarre story!
The Mysterious Case of the Austrian Chain Smoker
A 52-year-old man from Austria, a chain smoker since 1990, started facing throat issues in 2006. He struggled to eat, drink, and even breathe properly. His voice became hoarse, and he developed a persistent cough. By 2007, his problems escalated, prompting him to visit a doctor.
The Shocking Diagnosis
Doctors found 5-centimeter-long hairs growing in his throat, extending up to 2 inches! This bizarre growth was traced back to a childhood surgery when he nearly drowned at age 10. During the surgery, doctors used a piece of skin from his ear, where hair naturally grows, to repair his throat. Over time, the hair started growing inside his throat.
The Long Battle
For 14 years, he had to undergo annual surgeries to remove the hair. Despite the repeated procedures, the hair kept growing back. In 2022, he finally quit smoking, which significantly reduced the hair growth. His doctors continued removing the remaining hair cells, and after a year, only two more hairs appeared. Since then, no new hair growth has been detected.
