Argyria is an acquired condition resulting from silver exposure or ingestion which causes gray or blue mucocutaneous discoloration. The term “argyria” is an ancient Greek word for silver. Silver is a precious white transition metal which has a wide range of uses from jewelry to filtration devices and is used as a financial currency. The phrase “born with a silver spoon in his mouth” refers to health rather than wealth. Silver’s medicinal and health benefits continue to resonate in society due to its oligodynamic effect. The antimicrobial property of silver is due to the release of Ag ions which can irreversibly damage bacterial membranes. 

Due to the decrease in excessive consumption of silver as well as its use in medicine it is considerably less frequent in the 21st century although it is still present. In contemporary civilization the occurrences of generalized argyria are usually observed in those who use colloidal silver as an alternative therapy. People of diverse racial genders and ages are susceptible without any discernible pattern. 

Because binding proteins and tissue composition change with age where the body accumulates a tiny quantity of natural silver. This causes the skin in regions exposed to light to become discolored with a bluish-gray hue. Argyria can be divided into three subtypes: argyrosis, localized argyria, and generalized argyria. 

Generalized argyria is produced by systemic silver exposure which results in a gray/blue salty or metallic diffuse color on the skin particularly in sun-exposed regions.  

Localized argyria is induced by the deposition of silver through skin incision or percutaneous absorption through the sweat glands pores and resulting in darker often almost black macular patches or clusters. The most prevalent kind of tattoo is called an amalgam tattoo, and it is identified by a flat and dark blue mucosal lesion that is located next to a repaired tooth. 

It is a common irritant of the skin that is frequently brought on by exposure at work or medication use. As argyria being more confined to body parts and it is more prevalent in silversmiths and picture developers. Modern medicine uses medical-grade formulations of silver sulfadiazine and silver nitrate where the FDA has approved mucocutaneous silver acetate and mucocutaneous silver sulfadiazine. Silver impregnated catheters and endotracheal tubes are also approved. 

Colloidal silver is still a well-liked alternative and homeopathic medication which is promoted as an immune system booster despite its decreasing medical use. It may be purchased online and at pharmacies and grocery shops over the counter.  

Continuous exposure to or consumption of silver exacerbates arrhythmia because of an accumulative impact. When exposure ceases there is no improvement. The damaged areas’ skin would eventually become permanently discolored according to the prognosis. Even though it’s not a fatal illness as the cosmetic consequence is not ideal. 

Age Group: It may occur in people of any age groups, but most often it’s adults who get affected by it. Children get a silver-containing compound on a rarer occasion and so they have less chance of developing argyria. 

Skin discoloration 

Mucous membrane discoloration 

Nail discoloration 

Argyria often develops after extensive absorption of or ingestion of silver compounds which often because certain occupations or products that involve use of colloidal silver for medical purposes. Silver miners, those who deal with photo development or metal refinery all run significant health risks. In addition, people who are using colloidal silver as a dietary supplement or for alternative medicine purpose may develop argyria especially if they have been taking large amounts of it over an extended period. Argyria is also indicated as an adverse effect after employing topical medications consisting of silver as an ingredient. 

The degree of argyria may vary from a mild pigmentation to a pronounced blue-gray discoloration. For individual who are exposed int the long run the symptoms may be slow or gradual starting and progressing gradually. Some of the cases of sudden intoxication, like the ingestion of many silver-containing preparations, can show the symptoms right away. Typically, one common feature of argyria could be the blue-gray discoloration of skin that is more pronounced in the UV-sensitive skin areas (face, neck, and hands). 

Discontinuation of Silver Exposure: The primary action to be taken in managing argyria is then to locate and remove the source of silver exposure. In addition to this, it may involve ending the application of silver-carrying medications, topical products or dietary supplements. It is recommended that Silver compound exposure of patients is advised because silver compounds will be worsening their condition in longer term. 

Skin Care and Protection: Patients with argyria should be advised on proper skin care and sun protect them from the sun. Sunlight participation in discoloration process implies that people should use broad spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing to limit their sun exposure to at least a minimum. 

Cosmetic Measures: Cosmetic remission of camouflage methods is one among the customized techniques to cover bruises and improve the look at the patient. Consequently, these things may be attributed to the application of cosmetics or self-tanning products as a cure for blues that darken the skin. 

Dermatology, General

Avoidance of Silver Exposure: The key to managing argyria is to find first and dismiss the silver exposure sources which obviously can affect the person’s health. It implies the quitting of the medication which has silver as the topical goods as well as the dietary supplement on the other hand. In addition the patients’ needs to be prevented from silver employment and/or exposure on a job which may occur in cases when silver production or refining is carried out. 

Sun Protection: For blind sunlight increases oxidative discoloration. Hence it is the duty of the physicians to tell patient about the significance of the sun safety.  

Psychological Support: The person with a concentrated skin coloration can be a source of annoyance and worry to the patient’s mental health. Delivering psychological assistance, counseling and support groups is an unfailing way in which patients can learn to remove negative aspects of their disease and establish the quality and satisfaction of the mental status. 

Dermatology, General

Hydroquinone is a depigmenting chemical substance utilized for instance to deal with disorders led by increased pigmentation, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and solar lentigines. Besides hydroquinone does not widely used to cure argyria and the potential effect may not fully reverse the condition; however, some reports have found that using hydroquinone for a long period of time in concentration that are higher than normal may help to reduce number of silver granules in the upper dermis and nearby sweat glands and diminish the number of melanocytes engaged in melanogenesis. 

The use of a combination topical preparation composed of 4% hydroquinone, 10% glycolic acid, and 0.01% tretinoin in a case study published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery was reported by Abadir et al. to treat argyria in a 63-year-old woman. 

The patient had been diagnosed with argyria after months of using a product containing silver as an active ingredient for treatment of allergic rhinitis. The patient’s face, neck and upper trunk displayed diffuse blue-gray discoloration. 

The combination preparation was applied twice daily for six months, which led to considerable improvement of the discoloration characterized by reduction of the blue-gray pigment intensity and the evaluating of the skin texture overall appearance. 

Although in this case the keratotic treatment was not 100% effective, it showed good clinically results and increased the level of patient satisfaction. 

Dermatology, General

Laser Therapy: The Q-switched lasers have been proposed as an argyria treatment option. These lasers give the high power laser pulses that are targeted at the pigmented areas of the skin with selectivity so that the fragmentation of the pigment particles can be caused. In argyria, laser technique might be used to formulate substances in the skin as silver rings are removed; then subsequently the skin may appear less brown. It must be noted that possibly more than one session of the treatment is needed to attain a satisfactory effect.  

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels make use of a chemical solution applied to the skin, which induces a controlled exfoliation and regeneration of the outer skin layers. Superficial chemical peels applied with these peeling chemicals may include agents such as alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid and make texture and appearance of the skin better in individuals with argyria. The chemical peels may not affect the silver buildup directly, but they do stimulate the skin renewal and rejuvenation, which show up as positive effects or the size smaller of the silver colored area in the long run. 

Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a less- invasive method which is carried out by a technician who uses a handheld device to remove the dead skin cells lying on the outer layer of the skins surface. Microdermabrasion even though does not directly remove silver deposit can still help in smoothening skin texture and tone, making the dark areas become less prominent. Multiple times of microdermabrasion meetings may be needed for receiving a visible improvement, and the procedure must be made only by the experts to be sure in the absence of complications. 

Dermatology, General

Argyria is a skin disorder that results from the presence of silver-containing compounds in the dermis. The diagnosis is made based on a comprehensive medical history which is a very competent physical examination and laboratory tests. The patients and caregivers are made to understand the disease reason and potential risk of further health complications. The healthcare workers are instructed to keep away from the exposure to these silver compounds and adopt preventive measures. Cosmetic procedures like makeups or self-tanning products can be used for dark patches on the skin not to be visible and the skin tone get improved. Psychosocial support is a kind of help which enables patients deal with the rigours of the condition and pursue a better life.