Argyria in a patient with a delusional disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Argyria is a rare condition caused by the body's over- -exposure to silver compounds marked by blue-gray discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, nails and internal organs. Case report: A 55-year-old man was referred to the dermatology clinic for diagnosing melanoderma present for about 5 years. Physical examination revealed a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin with highest intensity in the head and neck area. The patient had a history of an untreated delusional syndrome. He reported that he had consumed a colloid silver solution for several years as a method of self-treatment for viral warts. The presence of silver deposits was confirmed in the histological examination. Conclusions: The disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of abnormalities in skin color. The diagnosis of argyria is based on a medical history with clinical assessment for the skin in combination with the results of histological examination.