Argyroz (Argyria)
Argyrosis is a dermatological disease that occurs due to the increased intake of silver ions in the body and its subsequent deposition in the skin and its appendages. The main symptom of the disease is darkening of the skin and mucous membranes up to a bluish-gray hue, in severe cases visual disturbances are also observed. Diagnosis of argyrosis is based on anamnesis data (detection of contact with silver), examination of the patient, sometimes histological examination of the skin and ophthalmological examination are also used. There is no cure for this disease, it is only possible to lighten the skin slightly through the method of medical cosmetology (for example, laser dermabrasion).
Argyrosis, or argyria, is the result of prolonged contact or intake of silver in the body – both in the form of compounds or ions, and in its pure form (silver dust, colloidal silver). This condition has been known since ancient times, mainly people working in the silver mines, the production of mirrors and jewelry previously suffered from it. In the 20th century, these causes of argyrosis were supplemented by the massive use of medicines based on this metal – in particular, the well-known lapis pencil contains silver nitrate. This element has pronounced bactericidal properties, but its toxicity to humans is quite low. However, large doses of silver ions can cause severe poisoning, the lethal dose of silver nitrate is about 10 grams. For the development of argyrosis, long-term (at least several years), but constant contact with this metal is necessary.
Causes of argyrosis
When silver ions enter the human body, they are only partially involved in metabolism, but this does not immediately lead to argyrosis. They spread throughout all tissues, but in some of them conditions are created for the accumulation of metal – mainly the upper layers of the dermis, sweat glands, cornea, mucous membranes. In any adult or elderly person, microscopic inclusions of silver can be found in these tissues, but in this case we are not talking about argyrosis – there is so little metal in them that it does not affect the color of the skin in any way. But if an increased amount of these ions enters the body, then the amount of such deposits increases, which eventually leads to a noticeable change in skin color. It is in this case that the diagnosis of “argyrosis” is made.
Currently, the main sources of silver are some drugs, cosmetics, and dentures based on alloys of this metal. Cases of the development of argyrosis due to the long-term use of “silvered” water by means of electrophoresis or the use of colloidal silver for the same purposes are described. As well as in antiquity, argyrosis occurs in workers in contact with this metal – in this case, we can talk about the professional nature of the disease. It has been found that for a noticeable change in skin color, at least 10-12 years of regular contact with this element or its compounds is necessary.
Symptoms of argyrosis
In clinical dermatology, there are two main forms of argyrosis – local and generalized. The development of one form or another of the disease depends on the amount of silver deposited in the body; from this point of view, they can be considered as successive stages of this disorder. In localized argyrosis, metal deposition is limited to the skin of the periorbital region and the cornea, but no visual problems are observed. The generalized form is characterized by darkening of the remaining areas of the skin – while the severity of symptoms also depends on the amount of silver that has entered the body and the duration of its accumulation.
The degree of darkening of the skin in general argyria can vary from light gray to dark silver. As a rule, exposed areas of the body – face, neck, hands – are exposed to the greatest pigmentation. In severe cases, the human body acquires a uniform dark silver color and shine. With argyrosis of this degree, noticeable deposits are observed not only on the skin, but also in the deep layers of the cornea, which in some cases slightly impairs vision.
If silver continues to enter the body, it begins to be deposited in the retina and tissues of the optic nerve, leading to hemeralopia and a significant decrease in visual acuity. All the above symptoms of argyrosis develop very slowly over many years, but such a pronounced pigmentation often causes complexes and psychological problems in the patient.
Diagnostics
In most cases, the diagnosis of argyrosis does not pose a particular problem for a dermatologist – upon examination, gray, sometimes with a silvery sheen, skin is revealed. When questioning the patient, it turns out that such changes have been growing in him for many years. Also define
