Argyria--an almost-forgotten dyschromia

A 79-year-old woman presented with a long history of grey-blue discoloration of the light-exposed areas. Her face, forearms, and the backs of both hands were affected. The proximal parts of her fingernails were impressively discolored, but her toenails were not affected. The patient reported that sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft 2004-02, Vol.2 (2), p.119
Main Authors: Stadie, Volker, Marsch, Wolfgang Christian
Format: Article
Language:ger
Subjects:
Aged
Argyria - diagnosis
Argyria - etiology
Biopsy
Drug Eruptions - diagnosis
Drug Eruptions - etiology
Female
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - drug therapy
Humans
Photosensitivity Disorders - diagnosis
Photosensitivity Disorders - etiology
Silver Compounds - adverse effects
Silver Compounds - therapeutic use
Silver Nitrate - adverse effects
Silver Nitrate - therapeutic use
Skin - pathology
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Summary:A 79-year-old woman presented with a long history of grey-blue discoloration of the light-exposed areas. Her face, forearms, and the backs of both hands were affected. The proximal parts of her fingernails were impressively discolored, but her toenails were not affected. The patient reported that she had received oral therapy with the silver-containing drug Gastrarctin in 1959. The diagnosis of argyria was confirmed by documenting high tissue levels of silver in light-exposed skin. Argyria has become uncommon as medications containing silver are no longer employed and occupational protection for those with exposure to silver salts has become more refined.
ISSN:1610-0379
1610-0387