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An old man of 84 years was pinpointed to have an unusual malady called Argyria which finally ended the typical symptoms of greying out all nails and skin. The man had registered himself for treating his Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia diagnosis in the Hong Kong hospital in the same year as the phenomenon, i.e., 5 years ago. Since then he has shown up at the hospital with obstructed urinary flow along with flaunting an array of grey gentlemen-like appearances in his skin, eyes, and nails. The doctors could not make out what was going on and with such symptoms as these, but he was found to have too much silver in his body through blood tests.
Know about one of the rarest conditions called Argyria:
Argyria is rare in medical science. It is also known as silver poisoning and is classified under dermatological parameters. It occurs with a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes with the influence of silver or compounds in the body.
But, in most cases, it can be the body devoid of silver, predominantly with excessive intake of products of silver. It can occur almost as often as the second condition, but its accumulation has been known to be limited to localized skin lesions.
Causes of the disease:
The disorder results from the displacement of silver in the body due to the presence of silver in sunlight-exposed areas. The etiopathogenesis of such diseases is still unclear. Its duration is less than two years but in the case of malignancy, one year has been recommended due to the inevitable death Notice.
Long-term continuous exposure to silver is the primary cause of Argyria, and it might result from various causes like ingestion, topical application, or inhalation of silver dust. The development of this disease results from the deposition of numerous silver particles into particular tissues leading to the change in the skin. The human body likes to store a small amount of silver, but too much exposure will lead to major changes in the skin.
Three primary subtypes of argyria exist:
- Large patches of skin are affected by generalized argyria, which gives them a diffuse gray or bluish appearance.
- Darker macular patches in particular areas are indicative of localized argyria, which is frequently brought on by local silver deposition.
- Silver buildup in the eyes, especially in the cornea, is known as argyrosis.
Signs and symptoms of Argyria:
The most obvious sign of argyria is a shift in skin tone to a slate-gray or blue-gray tint, which is particularly obvious on portions of the face and hands that are exposed to the sun. Other signs and symptoms could be:- Gray-brown gum discoloration.
- The nail beds and eye whites have a blue-gray color.
- Potential discoloration of internal organs, albeit this is usually only noticeable during surgery.
Due to its rarity and resemblance to other illnesses, argyria can be difficult to diagnose. It is essential to have a complete medical history of silver exposure. Confirmation may need histopathological investigation, which frequently uses methods like Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy to detect silver deposits in tissues.
Treatment and Prognosis:
Argyria is typically seen as a cosmetic rather than a life-threatening disorder. However, stopping silver exposure does not make the discoloration go away; it is permanent. Affected individuals may benefit from psychological treatment because of possible cosmetic concerns. The major tactic is still prevention by limiting exposure to silver, as there are no known cures for the discoloration.
Citations:
- Stephanie E. Jerger; Utsav Parekh-Argyria- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563123/
- 84-Year-Old Hong Kong Man's Skin, Nails Turn Grey: Experts Decode This Strange Health Issue- https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/84-year-old-hong-kong-mans-skin-nails-turn-grey-experts-decode-this-strange-health-issue-1176845/
- Hong Kong man's skin mysteriously turns grey. Doctors reveal his body has silver
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