Colloidal silver is a product composed of small slivers of silver suspended in liquid. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type of silver is of the same quality that is utilized in everyday products such as silverware, jewelry and dental fillings. Colloidal silver may be produced in an edible form, or to be applied topically to the skin as spray or gel or to be injected. If you are considering using colloidal silver for any reason, consult your doctor first.
Marketing
Colloidal silver is marketed by its producers as a dietary supplement or form of alternative medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as AIDS and HIV, diabetes, syphilis, tuberculosis, herpes, prostatitis, shingles, pneumonia, viral and bacterial infections and cancer. Colloidal silver has also been marketed as an essential mineral, which it is not. According to National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the United States Food and Drug Administration does not consider colloidal silver to be a safe or effective treatment for any disease or condition.
History
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, silver has some medicinal uses going back for hundreds of years. Silver is no longer utilized for these purposes due to advances in modern medicine and prescription drugs. In fact, most prescription drugs no longer include silver at all. Its few remaining uses include silver nitrate to eliminate warts and skin lesions and prevent conjunctivitis in newborn babies' eyes. Burn wounds are treated by silver sulfadiazine. Both types of silver are administered to the exterior of the body and should not be ingested.
Argyria
Colloidal silver builds up in animal tissues, and in humans can result in a condition known as argyria, which causes a bluish-gray discoloration of the body's tissues. This discoloration has been noted in the skin, gums, organs, eyes and nails of those affected. While it can take months or even years for the body to build up levels necessary to cause argyria, it cannot be reversed, even after those afflicted stop their intake of colloidal silver. This condition does not have dire health consequences but is undesirable.
Other Side Effects
Excessive doses of colloidal silver can cause other irreversible side effects as well. These can include seizures and other neurological disorders, skin irritations and kidney damage. Stomach ailments, headaches and fatigue are other side effects. Colloidal silver can also interact with prescription medications such as quinolones, tetracyclines, penacillamines and thyroxine.
