Argyrosis
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms of the disease
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Argyrosis is a dermatological disease caused by the ingestion of silver (or its compounds) in the human body in a significant amount and the deposition of this metal in the skin, leading to a change in their color.
With argyrosis, the skin acquires a color from light gray to dark silver
Causes and risk factors
When silver ions enter the human body, some of them take part in metabolism, while others are deposited in the mucous membranes, cornea, sweat glands and upper layers of the dermis. In any person of mature or old age, insignificant inclusions of silver ions can be found in the skin, but their content is so small that they do not affect its color in any way. For the development of argyrosis, a large amount of silver is needed in the body for a long time (at least 10-12 years).
The main sources of silver at present are dentures, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals made on the basis of this metal and its alloys. In 2007, the medical literature published the case history of Paul Carason (California, USA), who took silver balm and homemade colloidal silver for many years. As a result, his skin took on a rich blue-gray color.
Medicines, cosmetics, and silver-based dental crowns are the main causes of argyrosis
Argyrosis can develop in jewelers, workers in electroplating shops and other industries in constant contact with silver or its compounds. In such cases, the disease is considered occupational.
Forms of the disease
Depending on the amount of silver deposited in the tissues of the body, two forms of argyrosis are distinguished:
- Local. It is characterized by a change in skin color of the periorbital (periorbital) region. Silver ions accumulate in the cornea of the eye, but this, as a rule, does not lead to any impairment of visual function.
- Generalized. The entire skin of the patient's body changes color.
In fact, the two named forms can be considered as successive stages of the disease.
Symptoms
With argyrosis, the skin acquires a color from light gray to dark silver (depending on the amount of silver deposited in the tissues). To a greater extent, the skin of open areas of the body is pigmented: hands, neck, face.
In severe cases, the patient's skin acquires a characteristic metallic sheen and dark silvery color. The accumulation of silver in the cornea in a significant amount causes some decrease in visual acuity. If the necessary actions are not taken and silver continues to enter the human body, it will begin to be deposited in the tissue of the optic nerve and retina of the eyes, which will cause a sharp decrease in visual acuity and the development of hemeralopia (night or night blindness).
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of argyrosis is usually not difficult. On examination, attention is drawn to the patient's skin, which is gray, sometimes with a metallic silvery sheen. At the same time, the patient notes that the change in skin color has occurred in him for many years. The doctor finds out the nature of the patient's professional activity, the use of silver-containing preparations, lapis pencil, silvered water. It is necessary to establish the cause of the development of argyrosis, since without its elimination the disease will progress.
A skin biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis, followed by histological analysis. Microscopy shows gray inclusions in the intercellular substance and cells of the upper layer of the dermis. There are especially many of them around hair follicles and sweat glands. In the area of the sebaceous glands, they are practically not observed.
Skin biopsy is performed to confirm argyrosis
An examination by an ophthalmologist is required. Biomicroscopy of the eye reveals deposits of silver in the cornea, which look like thin intertwined threads of gray-blue color. In severe forms of the disease, silver deposits are also detected in the vitreous body. Also, for a severe form of argyrosis, the appearance of dark spots on the retina and edema of the optic nerve head are characteristic.
Argyrosis requires differential diagnosis with a number of other diseases occurring with skin pigmentation:
- methemoglobinemia;
- porphyria;
- Addison's disease;
- hemochromatosis.
Treatment
It is extremely important to identify the source of the intake of silver in the body. Eliminating this source will stop the further progression of the disease.
There is no effective treatment for argyrosis that will completely restore the normal color of the skin. Laser dermabrasion has a cosmetic effect, which allows you to lighten the skin of the face at the initial stage of the disease. But since the bulk of silver inclusions is located below the epidermis layer, the effectiveness of this method in patients with advanced argyrosis cannot be expected.
Laser dermabrasion can lighten the complexion a little at the initial stage of argyrosis
Possible complications and consequences
The pronounced pigmentation of the skin with argyrosis gives rise to psychological problems and depressive states in patients, significantly worsening the quality of life. Severe forms of argyrosis can lead to partial loss of vision.
Forecast
With regard to life, the prognosis for argyrosis is favorable.
Prevention
The prevention of argyrosis is reduced to the careful implementation of safety rules when working with silver and its compounds, the limited use of cosmetics and medicines containing this metal.
Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
