Argyria systemic

Marshall JP II, Schneider RP. 1977. Systemic argyria Secondary to topical silver nitrate. Arch Dermatol 113 1077-1079. 

Shimamoto Y, Shimamoto H. 1987. Systemic argyria secondary to breath freshener "Jintan Silver Pills". Hiroshima J Med Sci 36 245-247. 

Silver is a mildly toxic element. The metal and its compounds can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. They can cause a condition known as argyria or argyrosis, in which the skin or eyes turn blue. Breathing in silver dust can have serious long-term health effects also. The highest recommended exposure for silver dust is 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air. 

Pariser RJ (1981) Argyria silver in biological tissues. In Williams DE, ed.. Systemic Aspects of Bio-compatability, Vol. 1, pp. 252-257. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. 

Toxicology ACGIH TLV/TWA 0.1 mg/m (metal), 0.01 mg/m (sol. compds. as Ag) STEL (15 min) 0.3 mg/m TCLo (inh., human) 1 mg/m nontoxic but prolonged absorption of compds. can cause grayish discoloration of skin (argyria) human systemic effects (skin effects) on inh. overexposure may cause nasal septum, skin irritation, ulceration, Gl upset questionable... 

Chung IS, Lee MY, Shin DH, Jung HR. Three systemic argyria cases after ingestion of colloidal silver solution. Int J Dermatol 2010 49(10) 1175-7. 

Lyons TJ, Christu CN, Larsen FS (1975) Ammoniated mercury ointment and the nephrotic syndrome. Minn Med 58 383-384 Maibach H, Boisits E (eds) (1982) Neonatal skin structure and function. Marcel Dekker, New York Marshall JD, Schneider RP (1977) Systemic argyria secondary to topical silver nitrate. Arch Dermatol 113 1077-1079 Marzulli F, Maibach H (1975) Relevance of animal models the hexachlorophene story. In Maibach H (ed) Animal models in dermatology. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 156-167 Marzulli F, Maibach H (eds) (1996). Dermatoxicology, 5th edn. Hemisphere, Washington... 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider colloidal silver to be safe or effective in treating any disease or condition in humans or animals (FDA, 1997). Ingestion of colloidal silver can cause an irreversible build-up of silver particles in tissues, called argyria. Advertisements for colloidal silver may claim that the product will strengthen the immune system or kill bacteria. Some manufactures claim that it treats cancer, FIIV-AIDS, or diabetes. These claims are not supported by medical research (NCCAM, 2004). 

Flohr C, Heague J, Leach I, English J. Topical silver sulfadiazine-induced systemic argyria in a patient with severe generalized dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Br J Dermatol 2008 159(3) 740-1. 

Van de Voorde, K., Nijsten, T., Schelfhout, K., Moorkens, G. and Lambert, J. (2005) Long-term use of silver containing nose-drops resulting in systemic argyria. Acta Clinica Belgica, 60(1), 33-5. 

---