![]() 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. Localised argyria often results from topical use of substances containing silver, such as some kinds of eye drops. In the conjunctiva this is not generally harmful, but it also may affect the lens, leading to serious effects. This condition is known as argyria or argyrosis.Ĭhronic intake also may lead to silver pigments depositing in other organs exposed to light, particularly the eyes. Commonly these products deposit as microscopic particles in the skin, in effect a dark pigment. 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. In humans and other animals, chronic intake of silver products commonly leads to gradual accumulation of silver compounds in various parts of the body. The term is from the Ancient Greek: ἄργυρος ( argyros, 'silver'). 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 terms argyria and argyrosis have long been used interchangeably, with argyria being used more frequently. Local argyria shows in limited regions of the body, such as patches of skin, parts of the mucous membrane or the conjunctiva. Generalized argyria affects large areas over much of the visible surface of the body. It may take the form of generalized argyria or local argyria. The most dramatic symptom of argyria is that the skin turns blue or blue-grey. So opt for real, edible sprinkles this year and leave the blue-colored skin to the Smurfs.Generalized argyria in a 92-year-old male.Īrgyria or argyrosis is a condition caused by excessive exposure to chemical compounds of the element silver, or to silver dust. (To be clear, the FDA ruled in 1999 that all over-the-counter drugs containing colloidal silver “are not generally recognized as safe and effective.”) In 2013, Karason was hospitalized for pneumonia and died of a heat attack his death was not related to his argyria.Īccidentally eating a dragée or two won’t turn you into Violet Beauregarde, but the FDA still considers silver “unsafe” as a food additive. In the late ’90s, Karason began taking a silver preparation as well as colloidal silver - which is essentially silver particles suspended in liquid - to self-treat his dermatitis. ![]() In 2008, Paul Karason went viral after the real-life “blue man” appeared on the TODAY show to talk about his argyria. And get this: the ATSDR says the coloring is permanent. The report’s authors wrote that argyria can be detected in the blood and urine, and can eventually cause kidney failure. ![]() ![]() A 2015 case report published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology recorded a man whose gums had even turned blue. People with argyria have a blue or blue-gray tint to their skin, nails, and mucus membranes. If, however, you work in a chemical manufacturing facility where you’re exposed to silver, you can develop a condition called argyria. And fortunately, most of the silver we consume leaves our bodies within a week. You can even be exposed to silver if your hobbies include photography or silver jewelry-making, or if you use anti-smoking lozenges or medications that contain silver.īut before you get worried, it’s important to know that you won’t experience negative side effects related to ingesting silver unless you happen to be exposed to silver for a long period of time (think months and years, rather than just a few too many hours decorating cookies in the kitchen). Low levels of silver can be found in food, water, and even the air, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). Right now, you’re probably already ingesting silver without even knowing it. ![]()
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