Argyria
Argyria | |
---|---|
Other names | Argyrosis |
Generalized argyria in a 92-year-old male. | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Argyria or argyrosis is a
The terms argyria and argyrosis have long been used interchangeably,
Pathophysiology
In humans and other animals, chronic intake of silver products commonly leads to gradual accumulation of silver compounds in various parts of the body.[4] As in photography (where silver is useful because of 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
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).[4]
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.
Society and culture
A prominent case involving the ingestion of colloidal silver was that of American
In 2007, press reports described
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.[20] Jacobs came to international attention after Paul Karason was on The Today Show in 2008.[21][22] From 2010 to 2013, Jacobs posted about topics in health fraud, particularly naturopathy, on her blog.[23]
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.[24] The lack of night vision would most likely be due to damaged rods in the eye, from the exposure to silver or silver dust particles in the ocular region.[citation needed]
See also
- Amalgam tattoo
- Bismuthia – Medical condition
- Carotenodermia– Skin discoloration caused by carotenoids
- Chrysiasis – dermatological condition induced by the parenteral administration of gold salts
- Methemoglobinemia – Condition of elevated methemoglobin in the blood, another condition known for causing blue skin coloration
References
- OCLC 62736861.
- ^ 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
- ^ Fox, Lawrance Webster. A practical treatise on ophthalmology. Pub. D. Appleton and company NY. 1920. May be downloaded from https://archive.org/details/apracticaltreat00foxgoog
- ^ PMID 8632503.
- ^ PMID 16766878.
- PMID 16021155.
- ^ "ToxFAQsTM for Silver" (PDF). July 1999.
- ^ "Public Health Statement: Silver" (PDF). ATSDR.
- ^ London Medical Gazette: Or, Journal of Practical Medicine. 1843. pp. 791–. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ The Cincinnati Lancet and Observer. E.B. Stevens. 1859. pp. 141–. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ "Colloidal Silver". NCCIH.
- ^ Blaine Harden (November 12, 2006). "A True Blue Libertarian". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ National Public Radio. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Joseph Angier (August 20, 2008). "Feeling Blue Over Skin Color". ABC News. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "Why This Man Turned Blue". Today. NBC News. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ "Internet Sensation 'Papa Smurf' Dies, Other Blue People Live On". ABC News. 25 September 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Real-life 'Blue Man' dies after heart attack, stroke". Today. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Jacobs, Rosemary (1998). "My Story". Rosemary's Story. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ "Woman who turned silver warns of dangers of internet medicines". The Telegraph. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ Hit Blames on Colloidal Silver (5 September 2008). "Colloidal Silver: FAQ". WebMD. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ Jacobs, Rosemary. "Rosemary's Medical Blog". Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- PMID 469606.
External links
- "Public Health Statement for Silver". Centers for Disease Control. December 1990. Retrieved February 24, 2007.
- "Rosemary's Story." Rosemary Jacobs explains her argyria; includes photographs. Accessed February 24, 2007.
- "Systemic Argyria Associated With Ingestion of Colloidal Silver." by Akhil Wadhera, MD and Max Fung, MD. Dermatology Journal Online. Accessed February 24, 1997.
- "Blue Man Seeks Acceptance" about another victim of argyria due to colloidal silver.
- "Man Turns Blue", by Duncan Hooper, telegraph.co.uk, Dec. 21, 2007.
- "This Man Turned Blue (video)", NBC Today Show, Matt Lauer interview, aired January 7, 2008.
- Chemistry behind the ‘blue man’ unlocked", by Josh Howgego, Chemistry World, 1 November 2012.