Overview
Argyria (also called argyrosis or silver poisoning) is a rare condition caused by too much silver building up in the body over time. Silver can enter the body through swallowing silver-containing supplements or medicines, breathing in silver dust or fumes at work, or having silver-containing wound dressings used for long periods. Once silver gets into the skin and other tissues, it causes a permanent blue-gray or slate-gray discoloration. The skin color change is most noticeable on areas exposed to sunlight, such as the face, hands, and neck, but it can affect the entire body including the eyes, nails, and internal organs. The most well-known symptom is the striking skin color change, which is permanent and does not go away even after stopping silver exposure. Beyond the cosmetic effects, argyria is generally not life-threatening, but it can cause significant emotional distress and social challenges. Some people also experience sensitivity to sunlight. The condition is diagnosed mainly by looking at the skin and confirming silver deposits through a skin biopsy. There is no proven cure or treatment that reverses the skin discoloration. Management focuses on stopping further silver exposure and using cosmetic cover-up products to help with appearance. Prevention is the most important strategy, which means avoiding unnecessary silver supplements and being careful in workplaces where silver exposure is possible.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Permanent blue-gray or slate-gray skin color, especially on sun-exposed areasGrayish discoloration of the whites of the eyes (sclerae)Darkening of the nailsGrayish color inside the mouth and gumsIncreased sensitivity to sunlightDiscoloration of internal organs (found on imaging or autopsy, usually no symptoms)Emotional distress or anxiety about appearanceSocial withdrawal due to visible skin changes
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Argyria.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Argyria at this time.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Argyria.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my skin discoloration definitely argyria, and how was that confirmed?,Will the skin color change get worse over time, and can anything stop it from progressing?,Are there any treatments, such as laser therapy, that might reduce the discoloration in my case?,What sun protection measures do you recommend for me specifically?,Are there any health risks beyond the skin changes that I should be aware of?,Can you refer me to a mental health professional or support group to help me cope with the appearance changes?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being studied for argyria?
Common questions about Argyria
What is Argyria?
Argyria (also called argyrosis or silver poisoning) is a rare condition caused by too much silver building up in the body over time. Silver can enter the body through swallowing silver-containing supplements or medicines, breathing in silver dust or fumes at work, or having silver-containing wound dressings used for long periods. Once silver gets into the skin and other tissues, it causes a permanent blue-gray or slate-gray discoloration. The skin color change is most noticeable on areas exposed to sunlight, such as the face, hands, and neck, but it can affect the entire body including the eye
How is Argyria inherited?
Argyria follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Argyria?
15 specialists and care centers treating Argyria are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.