Argyria refers to a condition caused by excessive exposure to chemical compounds of the element silver, or to silver dust.
The skin turns blue or blue-grey.
It may take the form of generalized argyria or local argyria.
Local argyria shows in limited regions as patches of skin, parts of the mucous membrane or the conjunctiva.
Chronic intake of silver products commonly leads to accumulation of silver compounds in various parts of the body: commonly these products deposit as microscopic particles in the skin.
Chronic intake also may lead to silver pigment deposition in other organs exposed to light, particularly the eyes,
which may affect the lens, leading to serious effects.
Localized argyria often results from topical use of substances containing silver.
Generalized argyria results from chronically swallowing or inhaling silver compounds.
Chronic ingestion or inhalation of silver preparations can lead to argyria in the skin and other organs which is not life-threatening, but is considered cosmetically undesirable.