Argyria

Carl Oldham

True or false: Argyria is happening today at a faster rate than it did long ago. What is the informal name of argyria?

Question

What is Argyria?

Argyria (sometimes called informally/jokingly as the smurf disease) is a rare medical disorder that is caused by excessive bodily contact, inhalation, or consumption of silver that results in bluish/silvery skin in individuals. Somewhat more common long ago when more people worked in silver mines, especially without appropriate protection gear. Fewer people in mines and better protection garbs have heavily reduced cases of argyria today. Unknown what percentage of people develop this today due to its rarity

The most apparent symptom is the blue/silver skin color. Can be confirmed by fluorescent UV test Two categories of symptoms: localized and universal Localized is when argyria occurs in just one particular region of the body. Universal is when the blue color spreads to the whole body.

Symptoms

Caused when the body makes too much contact with silver, especially colloidal silver. Colloidal silver is an unsafe medical remedy that supposedly provides health benefits. Dental fillings with silver (does not always result in argyria) Even tattoos containing silver could cause argyria as well

Causes

Pathophysiology

On average, the average person has one milligram (0.001 g) of silver in his/her body Argyria starts to occur in people when around four grams (four thousand milligrams) of silver accumulate in the body, more than a thousand times the average. It is not uncommon for people with argyria to have 20-40 grams of silver in body. In contrast, the lethal silver dosage for a 150 lb person is around 3.4-340 grams Excessive silver particles enter the dermis and, combined with melanin hyperpigmentation that occurs in conjunction, cause the skin color change gradually If frequently taking in silver orally at large enough concentrations, silver compounds could enter the conjunctiva or oral mucous membrane and cause argyria as well Recent research suggests certain genes may make people more susceptible to the disorder.

Weight of Silver in Human Body (grams)

35 30 30 25 20

15
10 5 0.001 0 Normal Beginning of Argyria Typical concentration of Argyria sufferer 4

Microscopic Level

Small dark granules affected by argyria in dermis near the eccrine glands gradually infecting the healthy tissue nearby (discoloration noticeable)

There is no cure for argyria Nevertheless, there are some treatments that can reduce the blue pigmentation

Not always success though

Sunscreen and make-up can reduce blue color, but is never permanent. Laser options Selenium and Sulfur can reduce the harmful internal effects of the silver in your body, but does nothing to eliminate the skin color. The best treatment option is prevention!

Treatment

The lifespans of people who contract argyria usually decline due to toxicity of the silver surplus in their bodies. Lifespans are further reduced by continual exposure to silver, especially for those in silver mines or who take silver herbal medicine frequently.

Prognosis

Research in this disorder is weak, probably due to the fact that it is so uncommon and rare No cure is expected anytime soon

Current Research

DO NOT TAKE ANY SILVER-CONTAINING HOME REDEMEDIES! Even with the alleged health benefits The effects are irreversable! Silver colloid medicine is discouraged by the FDA, even though people still use it as a home remedy Victims are trying to bring awareness not just to the illness, but to the dangerous usage of silver as a medicine.

Prevention

Victim Paul Karason discussing the disorder on TODAY show on NBC in right picture (before and after photo)