$Unique_ID{BRK01339}
$Pretitle{Accidents, Poisoning, and Violence, Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare
Diseases}
$Title{Could Turning Grey be a Result of Work With Photo Chemicals?}
$Subject{silver photography skin argyria}
$Volume{O-20, O-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Could Turning Grey be a Result of Work With Photo Chemicals?


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QUESTION:  I don't believe it is my imagination, though my husband denies it,
but he seems to be turning grey.  Could it be a result of his work with
chemicals in a photo studio for many years?  What can you tell me about this
condition, which I am sure he has?

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ANSWER:  What you are talking about is a condition called Argyria, and because
your husband has worked in a photo studio all his life, I doubt it is your
imagination.  Argyria is a discoloration of the skin, nails, mucous membranes,
and internal organs, caused by silver deposits.  Industrial employees who work
with silver as well as those who work with photographic plates using silver
are at risk of acquiring argyria.
     The body tends to store large amounts of silver when it has been in
contact with silver over many years.  When argyria begins to take hold, it is
not that noticeable.  The discoloration becomes more obvious when the areas of
pigmentary changes are exposed to sunlight.
     One of the first clues that a person has argyria are his or her
fingernails, which develop a characteristic greyish-blue discoloration.  It is
not uncommon for some of the silver to become deposited in the eyes in amounts
proportionate to the length of exposure to the silver.  Internally, the silver
may be distributed to muscles, the liver, stomach, bone marrow and lymph
nodes, and particularly to the kidney.
     Some patients with argyria experience abdominal pain when the esophagus,
stomach and duodenum become laden with silver.  Right now, there is no known
effective treatment for argyria--the discoloration appears to be permanent.
Cosmetic treatments to cover-up the silver discoloration have not been very
successful.
     Fortunately, the long-term affects of argyria do not influence overall
health.  The greatest consequences seem to be psychological and social, since
the person with argyria often becomes embarrassed and self-conscious.  Those
suffering with argyria would do best to avoid exposure to the sun, thus
preventing further discoloration of the skin.  Sunscreens should also be used
when the person must be in the sun.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
