Menu
Home Explore People Places Arts History Plants & Animals Science Life & Culture Technology
On this page
Argyria
Medical condition

Argyria or argyrosis is a condition caused by excessive exposure to chemical compounds of the element silver, or silver dust. The most dramatic symptom of argyria is that the skin turns blue or blue-gray, and is usually most prominent in sun-exposed areas of the skin. 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. The term is from the Ancient Greek: ἄργυρος (argyros, 'silver').

Related Image Collections Add Image
Profiles
1 Image
We don't have any YouTube videos related to Argyria yet.
We don't have any PDF documents related to Argyria yet.
We don't have any Books related to Argyria yet.

Pathophysiology

In humans and other animals, chronic intake of silver products commonly leads to the gradual accumulation of silver compounds in various parts of the body.4 As in analog photography (where silver is used for its sensitivity to light), exposure of pale or colorless 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.5 In the conjunctiva this is not generally harmful, but it also may affect the lens, leading to serious effects.

Localized 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 home medicinal purposes or as a result of working with silver or silver compounds.6

While silver is potentially toxic to humans at high doses, the risk of serious harm from low doses, given over a short term, is small. 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 to be cosmetically undesirable.78910

The reference dose, published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1991, which represents the estimated daily exposure that is unlikely to incur an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime, is 5 μg/(kg·d).11

Argyria worsens and builds up as exposure to silver continues, and does not resolve once exposure stops because the silver atoms cannot be removed from the skin and other tissues.

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-gray.1213 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 products 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 involving the ingestion of colloidal silver was that of American Stan Jones, a Libertarian candidate for the United States Senate in 2002 and 2006.1415 The peculiar coloration of his skin was featured prominently in media coverage of his unsuccessful campaign, though his supporters contended that the best-known photo was "doctored".16 Jones promised that he was not using his silvery complexion as a gimmick. His purposeful consumption of colloidal silver was a self-prescribed measure undertaken in response to fears that the Y2K problem would make antibiotics unavailable, an event that did not occur.1718 He is reported to have said that given the chance to go back, he would do it again.19 He maintains that his good health, except for the unusual skin tone, is the result of his use of colloidal silver.20

In 2007, press reports described Paul Karason, an American man whose skin gradually turned blue after he took a homemade silver chloride colloid and used a silver salve on his face in an attempt to treat problems with his sinuses, dermatitis, acid reflux and other issues.2122 At the time of the reports, Karason maintained his belief in silver's effectiveness and continued to take it, albeit in smaller doses. He died in 2013 of a heart attack; "a cause of death was not immediately known", but according to Jo Anna Karason, his estranged wife, "Paul Karason had suffered heart problems for years. He was a heavy smoker, despite undergoing triple bypass surgery about five years ago".2324

Rosemary Jacobs is a prominent activist against alternative medicine. As a child, Jacobs was treated for allergies with nose drops that contained colloidal silver and developed argyria as a result.25 Jacobs came to international attention after Paul Karason was on The Today Show in 2008.2627 From 2010 to 2013, Jacobs posted about topics in health fraud, particularly naturopathy, on her blog.28

Possible implications

Although research is still not definitive, the literature has suggested that argyria can cause a decrement in kidney function. Additionally, a lack of night vision may be present.29

See also

  • Amalgam tattoo
  • Bismuthia – Medical condition
  • Carotenodermia – Skin discoloration caused by carotenoidsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
  • Chrysiasis – dermatological condition induced by the parenteral administration of gold saltsPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
  • Methemoglobinemia – Condition of elevated methemoglobin in the blood, another condition known for causing blue skin coloration
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Argyria (illness).

References

  1. James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; Elston, Dirk M.; Odom, Richard B. (2006). Andrews' diseases of the skin: clinical dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. p. 858. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0. OCLC 62736861. 0-7216-2921-0 ↩

  2. Guttmann, Paul. tr. by A. Napier. A handbook of physical diagnosis comprising the throat, thorax, and abdomen. 1879. May be downloaded from https://archive.org/details/ahandbookphysic02guttgoog https://archive.org/details/ahandbookphysic02guttgoog ↩

  3. Fox, Lawrance Webster. A practical treatise on ophthalmology. Pub. D. Appleton and company NY. 1920. May be downloaded from https://archive.org/details/apracticaltreat00foxgoog https://archive.org/details/apracticaltreat00foxgoog ↩

  4. Fung 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. PMID 8632503. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

  5. Lansdown AB (2006). "Silver in health care: antimicrobial effects and safety in use". Biofunctional Textiles and the Skin. Current Problems in Dermatology. Vol. 33. pp. 17–34. doi:10.1159/000093928. ISBN 3-8055-8121-1. PMID 16766878. 3-8055-8121-1 ↩

  6. Brandt D, Park B, Hoang M, Jacobe HT (August 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. PMID 16021155. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

  7. Fung 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. PMID 8632503. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

  8. Lansdown AB (2006). "Silver in health care: antimicrobial effects and safety in use". Biofunctional Textiles and the Skin. Current Problems in Dermatology. Vol. 33. pp. 17–34. doi:10.1159/000093928. ISBN 3-8055-8121-1. PMID 16766878. 3-8055-8121-1 ↩

  9. "ToxFAQsTM for Silver" (PDF). July 1999. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts146.pdf ↩

  10. "Public Health Statement: Silver" (PDF). ATSDR. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp146-c1.pdf ↩

  11. Fung 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. PMID 8632503. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

  12. London Medical Gazette: Or, Journal of Practical Medicine. 1843. pp. 791–. Retrieved 13 July 2013. https://books.google.com/books?id=eIQM_vME0QgC&pg=PA791 ↩

  13. The Cincinnati Lancet and Observer. E.B. Stevens. 1859. pp. 141–. Retrieved 13 July 2013. https://books.google.com/books?id=B-QiAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA141 ↩

  14. Blaine Harden (November 12, 2006). "A True Blue Libertarian". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2021. /wiki/Blaine_Harden ↩

  15. All Things Considered (July 17, 2010). "Fun And Intrigue With The Periodic Table". National Public Radio. Retrieved August 10, 2021. /wiki/All_Things_Considered ↩

  16. Sullivan, Robert (2002-11-03). "A Case of the Blues". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-01-07. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/11/11/a-case-of-the-blues ↩

  17. All Things Considered (July 17, 2010). "Fun And Intrigue With The Periodic Table". National Public Radio. Retrieved August 10, 2021. /wiki/All_Things_Considered ↩

  18. Kotynski, Tom (30 September 2002). "Colloidal Silver News - Senate candidate sports a 'healthy' shade of blue". Colloidal Silver News, Generators, Facts and More. Retrieved 13 December 2021. http://www.csfacts.com/pages/jones.html ↩

  19. All Things Considered (July 17, 2010). "Fun And Intrigue With The Periodic Table". National Public Radio. Retrieved August 10, 2021. /wiki/All_Things_Considered ↩

  20. Kotynski, Tom (30 September 2002). "Colloidal Silver News - Senate candidate sports a 'healthy' shade of blue". Colloidal Silver News, Generators, Facts and More. Retrieved 13 December 2021. http://www.csfacts.com/pages/jones.html ↩

  21. Joseph Angier (August 20, 2008). "Feeling Blue Over Skin Color". ABC News. Retrieved December 13, 2021. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/MedicalMysteries/story?id=5489997&page=1#.T0axNPEge_c ↩

  22. "Why This Man Turned Blue". Today. NBC News. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150802000040/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp/22534645#22534645 ↩

  23. "Internet Sensation 'Papa Smurf' Dies, Other Blue People Live On". ABC News. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2017. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/internet-sensation-papa-smurf-dies-blue-people-live/story?id=20368758 ↩

  24. "Real-life 'Blue Man' dies after a heart attack, stroke". Today. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2021. https://www.today.com/health/real-life-blue-man-dies-after-heart-attack-stroke-4B11243410 ↩

  25. Jacobs, Rosemary (1998). "My Story". Rosemary's Story. Retrieved 19 November 2015. http://www.rosemaryjacobs.com/rose2.html ↩

  26. "Woman who turned silver warns of dangers of internet medicines". The Telegraph. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2015. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2687985/Woman-who-turned-silver-warns-of-dangers-of-internet-medicines.html ↩

  27. Hit Blames on Colloidal Silver (5 September 2008). "Colloidal Silver: FAQ". WebMD. Retrieved 19 November 2015. http://www.webmd.com/news/20080905/colloidal-silver-faq ↩

  28. Jacobs, Rosemary. "Rosemary's Medical Blog". Retrieved 19 November 2015. http://rosemary-jacobs.blogspot.com/ ↩

  29. Rosenman KD, Moss A, Kon S (June 1979). "Argyria: clinical implications of exposure to silver nitrate and silver oxide". Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 21 (6): 430–435. PMID 469606. /wiki/PMID_(identifier) ↩