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| Credit: en.wikipedia.org |
Argyria or
argyrosis (from Ancient Greek: ἄργυρος argyros silver) is a condition caused by
inappropriate exposure to chemical compounds of the element silver, or to
silver dust. The most dramatic symptom
of argyria is that the skin turns blue or bluish-grey. It may take the form of
generalized argyria or local argyria. Generalized argyria affects large areas
over much of the visible surface of the body. Local argyria shows in limited
regions of the body, such as patches of skin, parts of the mucous membrane or
the conjunctiva.
The terms
argyria and argyrosis have long been used interchangeably, with argyria
being used more frequently. Argyrosis has been used particularly in referring
to argyria of the conjunctiva, but the usage has never been consistent and
cannot be relied on except where it has been explicitly specified.
Cause
Colloidal silver
See also:
Medical uses of silver
Medical
authorities do not recommend colloidal silver, because of their lack of proven
effectiveness and the risk of side effects.
Pathophysiology
In animals
and humans chronic intake of silver products commonly leads to gradual
accumulation of silver compounds in various parts of the body. As in photography (where silver is useful
because of its sensitivity to light), exposure of pale or colourless silver
compounds to sunlight decomposes them to silver metal or silver sulfides.
Commonly these products deposit as microscopic particles in the skin, in effect
a dark pigment. This condition is known as argyria or argyrosis.
Chronic
intake also may lead to silver pigments depositing in other organs exposed to
light, particularly the eyes. In the conjunctiva this is not generally
harmful, but it also may affect the lens, leading to serious effects.
Localised
argyria often results from topical use of substances containing silver, such as
some kinds of eye drops. Generalized argyria results from chronically
swallowing or inhaling silver compounds, either for medical purposes, or as a
result of working with silver or silver compounds.
While silver
is potentially toxic to humans at high doses, the risk of serious harm from
careful exposure is slight. Careful use of silver or silver compounds will not
lead to Argyria. Treatment of external infections is considered safe, oral use
of high quality true colloidal silver is safe once dose is carefully monitored.
Silver is used in some medical appliances because of its anti-microbial nature,
which stems from the oligodynamic effect. Chronic ingestion or inhalation of
silver preparations (especially colloidal silver) can lead to argyria in the
skin and other organs. This is not life-threatening, but is considered by most
as cosmetically undesirable.”.
The
reference dose, published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
in 1991, which represents the estimated daily exposure which is unlikely to
incur an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime, is 5
µg/(kg·d).
History
Since at
least the mid-19th century, doctors have known that silver or silver compounds
can cause some areas of the skin and other body tissues to turn grey or
blue-grey. Argyria occurs in people who ingest or inhale silver in
large quantities over a long period (several months to many years). People who
work in factories that manufacture silver can also breathe in silver or its
compounds. In the past, some of these workers have become argyric. However, the
level of silver in the air and the length of exposure that caused argyria in
these workers is not known. Historically, colloidal silver, a liquid suspension
of microscopic silver particles, was also used as an internal medication to
treat a variety of diseases. In the 1940s, they were overtaken by the use of
pharmaceutical antibiotics, such as penicillin.
Society and culture
A prominent
case from ingestion of a silver compound (not colloidal silver) was that of
Stan Jones of Montana, a Libertarian candidate for the United States Senate in
2002 and 2006. The peculiar coloration of his skin was featured prominently in media
coverage of his unsuccessful campaign, though Jones contends that the
best-known photo was "doctored". Jones promised that he was not
using his silvery complexion as a gimmick. He continues to promote the use of
colloidal silver as a home remedy. He has said that his good health,
excepting the unusual skin tone, is the result of his use of colloidal
silver.
In 2007
press reports described Paul Karason, an American man whose entire skin
gradually turned blue after consuming what he believed was colloidal silver
made by himself with distilled water, salt and silver, and using a silver salve
on his face in an attempt to treat problems with his sinus, dermatitis, acid
reflux and other issues. Karason died on
September 23, 2013 after suffering a heart attack and stroke.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyria
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