What are the clinical features of argyria?
Whether or not a person exposed to prolonged or high levels of silver develops argyria depends on many factors including the dose and form of exposure, the duration of exposure, and the route of exposure (ie: ingested, inhaled, skin contact). What is apparent is that the degree of hyperpigmentation in patients is directly correlated with the amount of sliver present. Generalised argyria usually begins with a grey-brown staining of the gums which later progresses to involve large areas of the skin. • Over a period of months or years depending on the degree of exposure the skin turns a bluish-grey, metallic, to slate-grey colour. • The hyperpigmentation is most pronounced in sun-exposed areas such as the face (particularly forehead and nose), neck, arms, and hands. Hence, the discolouration is thought to result from the presence of silver and silver-induced increase in melanin concentration. • The fingernails, conjunctival membranes and mucous membranes may become hyperpigmented. • In so
