Argyria (ISV from Greek: αργύρος argyros silver + -ia) is a disease caused by the ingestion of elemental silver, silver dust or silver compounds. The most dramatic effect of argyria is that the skin is colored blue or bluish-grey. Argyria may be found as generalized argyria or local argyria. Argyrosis is the corresponding condition related to the eye. The condition is believed to be permanent. Most recent cases are due to the over consumption of home made colloidal silver as an alternative medicine.

Since at least the early part of the 20th century, doctors have known that silver or silver compounds can cause some areas of the skin and other body tissues to turn gray or blue-gray. Argyria occurs in people who eat or breathe in silver over a long period (several months to many years). A single exposure to a silver compound may also cause silver to be deposited in the skin and in other parts of the body; however, this is not known to be harmful. It is likely that many exposures to silver are necessary to develop argyria. Once argyria develops, it is believed to be permanent. However, the condition is thought to be only a "cosmetic problem". Most doctors and scientists believe that the discoloration of the skin seen in argyria is the most serious health effect of silver (in small doses).

Reports of cases of argyria suggest that gram amounts (from 2 to 4 grams) of silver or a silver compound taken in medication in small doses over several months may cause argyria in some humans. 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. It is also not known what level of silver causes breathing problems, lung and throat irritation, or stomach pain in people. Studies in rats show that drinking water containing very large amounts of silver (9.8 grams of silver per U.S. gallon water or 2.6 grams per liter) is likely to be life-threatening.

There is very little information about health effects following skin contact with silver compounds. Argyria that covers the entire body is not seen following skin contact with silver compounds, although the skin may change color where it touches the silver. However, many people who have used skin creams containing silver compounds such as silver nitrate and silver sulfadiazine have not reported health problems from the silver in the medicine. In one animal study, a strong solution of silver nitrate (81 milligrams silver nitrate per liter of water) applied to the skin of guinea pigs for 28 days did not cause the animals to die; however, it did cause the guinea pigs to stop gaining weight normally. It is not known if this would happen to people if they were exposed the same way.

Description

A colloid is a suspension of submicroscopic particles in a medium of a different material. Colloidal silver is metallic silver suspended in water.

Some minerals are required in the diet for optimum health. These are known as essential minerals. Contrary to claims by some manufacturers of colloidal products, silver is not an essential mineral.

On the other hand, silver undoubtedly has antimicrobial properties, along with some other metals such as copper. Historically, coins or other items made of silver were used to help keep water from becoming contaminated and to keep milk fresh for longer periods when refrigeration was not available. This method may still be used today in some remote areas of the world. Silver is also impregnated into some water filtration systems used both for swimming pools and for drinking water.

Despite the proven antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of silver in vitro, it is unclear whether it can exert the same effects when taken into the body. Part of the issue is what concentration of silver reaches the area where the infection is occurring before being bound, disseminated, or excreted. Another question is whether the ingested silver would have an adequate time of contact with the target organisms to produce the desired effect. It has a greater chance of benefiting a patient with local and topical infections.

Colloidal silver products are often touted as the answer to the problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. While it is certainly true that antibiotics are overused, leading to more bacteria becoming resistant, substantive evidence that colloidal silver is a safe and effective replacement does not yet exist.

General use

Silver is already used in some compounds that are in common use against infections. Silvadine is a frequently used agent to prevent infection in burn patients. Silver nitrate was used in the eyes of newborns for years to prevent blindness caused by contracting gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease (STD), during the passage through the birth canal. The medication was not, however, effective against chlamydia, another STD that causes neonatal conjunctivitis. Silver nitrate can also be very irritating to the tissues of the eye. Erythromycin and tetracycline are now more frequently used in the United States for neonatal prophylaxis.

The claims made for colloidal silver are innumerable. Silver has been said to be effective against hundreds of strains of bacteria, and to be supportive in the treatment of colds and flu, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, pneumonia, bronchitis, and yeast infections. It has also been recommended for topical use in the mouth, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, and for a wide variety of skin conditions. It is difficult to determine which of the claims, if any of them, have merit because substantive research data are lacking. Most of the reported effects are based on in vitro or anecdotal evidence. Extrapolations from such testimonials would be challenging due to the variability in particle size, concentration, quality of the preparation, and total dose.

Preparations

Silver colloid has been created by grinding, wave method (such as ultrasonic), liquid, chemical, or electrical modes of manufacture. They vary in how large the particles of silver are that are produced, and whether they carry an electrical charge. Particles that are very small and charged repel each other enough that they tend to remain in a suspended state for a longer time rather than settling. Currently, the electrocolloidal process is the most used, and considered to be the best at creating very small, charged particles.

Colloidal silver may be purchased ready for use, but products have been found to be inconsistent in content, varying from 15-120% of the silver concentration they are labeled to contain. Commercially produced products vary greatly in particle size, potency, stability, and contents. Some contain stabilizers or trace elements in addition to silver, which are considered undesirable. Others have been found to have bacterial contaminants.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at one time considered it a medication, exempted from the standard regulations as a result of being used and marketed prior to 1938. Since that time, the exemption has been revoked. In the United States, silver is now considered a dietary supplement as opposed to an over-the-counter medication. As such, specific claims to benefit or treat medical conditions can not be made.

As an alternative to manufactured colloidal silver products, assorted kits are available for the individual to make colloidal silver for personal use. These kits generally use an electrical current to disperse particulate silver into the carrier. Important factors for producing colloidal silver at home are the purity of the silver, the purity of the water, and proper timing to form the desired concentration. Stability of the colloid is variable, and the silver will tend to gradually settle as the charge on the particles dissipates.

Precautions

The deposition of silver under the skin can cause a condition called argyria. This condition is not common, but the skin of those who are affected is permanently stained a blue or gray color. The type of silver compound, length of treatment, concentration, and total dose required to cause argyria is a matter of some debate. There seems to be a great individual variation in susceptibility. Proponents claim that the true colloidal form of silver cannot cause the condition, but for safety purposes, all silver consumed should be considered a potential contributor to argyria. Some colloidal silver products include this warning on the label.

Extremely large doses of silver, much beyond what is recommended by proponents for therapeutic use, may cause neurologic signs or organ damage. Most of the studies of toxicity have been performed using salts of silver, such as silver nitrate, which have a higher silver concentration and greater toxicity than colloidal forms. The latter are generally in the range of 5-10 parts per million (PPM), which is equal to a 0.0005-0.001% solution.

Side effects

There are no reported side effects.

Interactions

Interaction of colloidal silver with foods, medications, or herbs are not documented.

Key Terms

Antimicrobial: A substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of disease causing organisms.
Epstein-Barr: A virus in the herpes family that causes mononucleosis as well as other diseases.
In vitro: An artificial environment; not in a living organism.

For Your Information

Books

Baranowski, Zane. Colloidal Silver: The Natural Antibiotic Alternative. New York: Healing Wisdom Publications, 1995.

Other

Barrett, Stephen. Colloidal Silver: Risk Without Benefit. http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html. 1999.
Hill, John. A Brief History of Silver and Silver Colloids in Medicine. http://www.clspress.com/history.html. 1998.
Weil, Andrew. Charmed by Colloidal Minerals? http://www.pathfinder.com/drweil/qa_answer/0,3189,252,00.html. 1997.
Weil, Andrew. Colloidal Silver: Better than Antibiotics? http://www.pathfinder.com/drweil/qa_answer/0,3189,1665,00.html. 1999.

Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Gale Group, 2001.

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