Silver nasal sprays: Misleading Internet marketing

by Michael T. Gaslin, MD, Cory Rubin, BA, and Edmund A. Pribit | Tuesday, April 01, 2008

IntroductionArgyria is a permanent and disfiguring bluish-gray discoloration of the skin associated with long-term use of products containing silver (see photos at http://rosemaryjacobs.com/argyria_photos_intro.html). Silver-containing products are readily available to consumers despite the health risks associated with exposure to soluble silver compounds. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the misinformation available to consumers about these potentially dangerous products.Silver compounds have a long history of medicinal use. The ancient physician Avicenna (980–1037 AD) is said to have been the first to describe their use as a blood purifier, a treatment for halitosis, and for heart conditions. Interestingly, Avicenna also noted that some patients using his formulations developed a bluish discoloration of the eyes, likely an early description of argyria.1 In 1859, Frommann reported a case of argyria caused by the use of silver nitrate as an antimicrobial.2In 1902, Albert C. .../continued/

ENT Journal provides full text articles to our registered members, please log in below or sign up for a FREE membership to view the full content.
Member Login	Register as a Member