A Re-emerging Disease Linked to Complementary Medicine: Argyria

Argyria can be described as the deposition of silver in the skin taken orally or through direct skin inoculation, causing discoloration of the skin and mucosa. In recent years, the increasing trend of people towards complementary medicine and marketing the colloidal form of silver is causing a resurgence of cases of argyria. Therefore, we aim to report a 16-year-old male patient who applied to our outpatient clinic and highlight this increasing trend by presenting a patient case. In the presented case, discoloration of the skin is much more pronounced on sun-exposed areas as in the literature, with the catalytic effect of sunlight on silver. In order to avoid this permanent situation, the authorities should take measures such as restricting the sale of products containing silver or limiting the silver content of products. Raising awareness is strongly recommended.