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argyria
Deposition of silver salts in the skin.
Etiology:
- industrial exposure (see silver for uses of silver)
- excess oral intake of silver
- chronic use of silver-containing nose drops [2]
Clinical manifestations:
1) asymptomatic, no known effect on health [2]
2) permanent blue-gray to brown discoloration of skin & mucosa
- begins with a gray-brown gingival staining, followed by a blue-gray discoloration in sun-exposed areas [2]
- eventually, the sclera, nail beds, & mucous membranes become hyperpigmented
- skin darker in sun-exposed regions
3) high-levels of silver in the air can cause respiratory & gastrointestinal irritation, & mild skin allergic reactions [2]
Laboratory:
- silver in urine
- silver in serum/plasma
- skin biopsy
Management:
- removal from exposure
- 5% hydroquinone
- Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser [2]
General
sign/symptom
References
- DeGowin & DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, 6th edition,
RL DeGowin (ed), McGraw Hill, NY 1994, pg 866
- Harmon J, Kapitanyan R
Poisoning Clues on the Skin: 10 Cases
Medscape. April 6, 2017
http://reference.medscape.com/features/slideshow/acutepoisonings