Potential Treatments For Reducing The Effects Of Argyria
Posted on: 24 November 2015
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Colloidal silver -- tiny granules of the metal suspended in liquid -- can sound like a miracle cure for various health problems. This alternative treatment is promoted in certain circles as a natural antibiotic and a remedy for conditions such as shingles, diabetes, arthritis and even cancer. Unfortunately, consuming colloidal silver for several months or longer can lead to a blue-gray skin discoloration known as argyria.
Argyria has proven very difficult to treat. That's one reason doctors don't prescribe or recommend colloidal silver as medication. The other reason is that colloidal silver isn't considered safe or effective for treating any health disorder.
If you have been consuming colloidal silver and you've just heard about argyria, you may be feeling anxious and worried. Learn about treatments dermatologists use to decrease the severity of this condition.
How Argyria Occurs
When people consume colloidal silver, particles of silver can begin accumulating in the skin. The discoloration is usually worse in skin areas that receive the most sun exposure because the silver particles react with ultraviolet (UV) light. By the time the individual realizes something is wrong, this interaction has been going on for a long time.
Argyria Management
Applying Topical Hydroquinone
Applying a 5-percent topical hydroquinone solution can reduce the size of silver granules in the skin. That can correspondingly reduce the severity of the skin discoloration and the continued interaction with UV light.
Taking Supplements
Taking high-quality supplements of vitamins A, C and E, along with the mineral selenium, also may decrease the size of silver particles in the skin.
Avoiding Sun Exposure
Staying out of the sun will prevent the skin discoloration from worsening. When the person does go outside, covering as much skin as possible with clothing is advisable. Sunscreen can be applied to exposed areas.
Having Laser Therapy
Research is still scant on laser therapy for minimizing argyria effects, but some successful case studies have appeared in the medical literature.
For example, details of a case study published in 2013 found significant improvement after a patient received a specific form of laser therapy. The authors compared the treatment to using lasers for removing tattoos. Another case study reported that the patient's skin discoloration was resolved after seven sessions of laser therapy.
What You Can Do Now
The top priority is to stop using colloidal silver immediately.
The first signs of argyria often appear on the moons of the fingernails and on the gums. Keep watch for a bluish discoloration in these areas, as well as on your hands and face. Those areas typically get the most sunlight.
For more information, visit http://www.dermsurgctr.com or a similar website.