SILVER-BLUE NAILS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (5) , 413-419
Abstract
The case is reported of a man with uniformly silver-blue discoloration of all fingernails, with deeper coloring over the lunulae. The nail bed changes resulted from the uncontrolled ingestion of a silver-containing granular powder [for relief of gastrointestinal symptoms]. The total silver intake was over 15 g. The only other sign of argyrosis was a barely perceptible greyish discoloration over the cheeks and in the sclera. Biopsies were taken from the nail bed and cheek. EM revealed metallic deposits in elastic fibers and basement membranes. The silver deposition was much heavier in the nail bed than in facial skin. Long-wave UV light (UVA) and lack of melanin protection seem to be responsible for this phenomenon. Argyrosis and the differential diagnosis of nail discolorations are reviewed.

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