Argyria (from Greek: ἄργυρος argyrossilver + -ia) is a condition caused by improper exposure to chemical forms of the element silver, silver dust, or silver compounds.[1] The most dramatic symptom of argyria is that the skin becomes blue or bluish-grey colored. Argyria may be found as generalized argyria or local argyria. Argyrosis is the corresponding condition related to the eye.
Biological effect
In animals and humans, chronic consumption of silver can accumulate in the body over a long period of time.[2] Chronic intake of silver products can result in an accumulation of silver or silver sulfide particles in the skin. As in photography (where silver is used due to its sensitivity to light), these particles in the skin darken with exposure to sunlight, resulting in a blue or gray discoloration of the skin. This condition is known as argyria. Chronic ingestion of silver can similarly lead to an accumulation of silver in the eye (argyrosis) and in other organs.[3] Localized argyria can occur as a result of topical use of substances containing silver, while generalized argyria results from the chronic ingestion of such substances.[4] Argyria is generally believed to be irreversible, with the only practical method of minimizing its cosmetic disfigurement being to avoid the sun,[5] but laser therapy has been used to treat it with satisfactory cosmetic results.[6][7][8] The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes argyria as a "cosmetic problem",[9] which is not physically harmful, but it is severely disfiguring.[10][11]
Generally, "silver exhibits low toxicity in the human body, and minimal risk is expected due to clinical exposure,"[3] when silver or silver compounds are used in the treatment of external infections or in medical appliances. Lansdown states that "Chronic ingestion or inhalation of silver can lead to deposition of silver metal/silver sulphide particles in the skin (argyria), eye (argyrosis) and other organs. These are not life-threatening conditions but cosmetically undesirable.” This view is supported by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)[12][13] and other authorities.[3][2]
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.[2]
History
Since at least the early part of the 20th century, doctors have known that chronic consumption of silver compounds can cause some areas of the skin and other body tissues to turn gray or blue-gray. Argyria occurs in people who ingest or inhale silver in excessively large quantities over many years. People who work in factories that manufacture silver compounds can breathe in these compounds. Historically, colloidal silver, a liquidsuspension of microscopic silver particles, was also used as an internal medication to treat a variety of diseases. In the 1940s they were discontinued due to the development of antibiotics.[14][2]
Methemoglobinemia, another condition known for causing blue skin coloration.
References
^James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; Elston, Dirk M.; Odom, Richard B. (2006). Andrews' diseases of the skin: clinical dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. p. 858. ISBN0-7216-2921-0. OCLC62736861.
^ abcdFung MC, Bowen DL (1996). "Silver products for medical indications: risk-benefit assessment". Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology. 34 (1): 119–26. doi:10.3109/15563659609020246. PMID8632503.
^ abcLansdown AB (2006). "Silver in health care: antimicrobial effects and safety in use". Current Problems in Dermatology. Current Problems in Dermatology. 33: 17–34. doi:10.1159/000093928. ISBN3-8055-8121-1. PMID16766878.
^Brandt D, Park B, Hoang M, Jacobe HT (2005). "Argyria secondary to ingestion of homemade silver solution". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 53 (2 Suppl 1): S105–7. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2004.09.026. PMID16021155. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Cite error: The named reference blue was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Rhee, DY, Chang, SE, Lee, MW, et al. Treatment of argyria after colloidal silver ingestion using Q-switched 1,064-nm Nd: YAG laser. Dermatol Surg 2008 July 24 [Epub ahead of print]
