Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Argyria associated with colloidal silver supplementation.

Jeffrey K McKenna1, Christopher M Hull, John J Zone

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.

International Journal of Dermatology
|July 4, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Diffuse Dermal Immunoglobulin Deposition and Monoclonal Gammopathy.

JAMA dermatology·2026
Same author

The role of antibody class and target on subepidermal blistering disease phenotype and management.

Italian journal of dermatology and venereology·2026
Same author

Durability of Conventional Immunosuppressants in the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus.

The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology·2026
Same author

The impact of allergen avoidance on oral lichen planus: A retrospective cohort-based comparison.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2025
Same author

An Allergy-Based Approach to Orofacial Granulomatosis: A Narrative Review.

Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug·2025
Same author

Oral lichen planus treated with upadacitinib: A case series.

JAAD case reports·2025
Same journal

Updated Vitiligo Trends in the Burden of Psychiatric and Autoimmune Diseases.

International journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

SENTINOLD and the Challenge of Meaningful Risk Prediction in Melanoma.

International journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

The "Stamp-n-Tack" Technique: An Ink-Guided Precision Method for Anchoring Tissue After Releasing Facial Retaining Ligaments in Large Facial Flap Reconstruction.

International journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Counterfactual Dermatology With Generative Models.

International journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Correlation of Clinical and Histopathological Features With Anti-Desmoglein Antibody Profile in Pemphigus Patients.

International journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Paracetamol-Induced Generalized Bullous Fixed Drug Eruption With Positive Anti-BP230 Antibody and Confirmed With Oral Provocation Test in a Child: A Case Report From the Philippines.

International journal of dermatology·2026
See all related articles

Colloidal silver supplementation can cause slate-gray nail discoloration in patients with diabetes. This asymptomatic finding highlights a potential side effect of alternative therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Toxicology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Colloidal silver is used as a dietary supplement for various health conditions, including diabetes.
  • Long-term ingestion of silver can lead to argyria, a condition characterized by gray or blue-gray skin discoloration.
  • Nail discoloration is an uncommon but reported manifestation of silver deposition.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old male with type II diabetes and hypertension presented with asymptomatic, slate-gray discoloration of the fingernail lunulae.
  • The patient reported a 1-year history of this nail change.
  • He had been taking colloidal silver (140 ppm) for 2 years as a diabetes therapy.

Findings:

  • The physical examination confirmed slate-gray discoloration specifically affecting the lunulae of the fingernails.

Related Experiment Videos

  • No other signs of argyria were observed on the skin, mucous membranes, or sclerae.
  • The discoloration correlated with the patient's history of colloidal silver supplementation.

    • Implications:

    • This case illustrates a distinct clinical presentation of exogenous ochronosis or argyria localized to the nails.
    • It underscores the importance of a thorough medication and supplement history in diagnosing dermatological conditions.
    • Healthcare providers should be aware of potential adverse effects associated with alternative therapies like colloidal silver.