eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of Pigmentation
Argyria: Follow-up
Updated: Mar 13, 2009
Follow-up
Complications
The systemic toxic effects of silver may include the following:
- Gastrointestinal catarrh
- Tissue wasting
- Uremia
- Albuminuria
- Fatty degeneration of the liver, kidney, and heart
- Hemorrhage
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenia
- Fluidity of the blood
- Chronic bronchitis
- Loss of coordination
- Decreased night vision
- Gustatory disturbance
- Vestibular impairment
- Seizure of the grand mal type
- Death by paralysis of the respiratory system
Current thought holds that the substantial amounts of silver in argyria usually result in no serious effects on human health. However, a few cases have notable clinical symptoms and signs. This lack of significant systemic silver toxicity in argyria may be due to the interaction of selenium and sulfur with silver in vivo.
Prognosis
A permanent and irreversible metallic tinge occurs in the skin of patients with argyria.
The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.
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| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Argyria |
| Treatment & Medication: Argyria |
Follow-up: Argyria |
| References |
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References
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Further Reading
Keywords
argyria, universal argyria, localized argyria, ingestion of silver salts, contact with silver salts, staining of skin, silver staining
Follow-up: Argyria