Colloidal Silver Dangers

Colloidal silver contains submicroscopic silver particles in a liquid base, used as an alternative health product for treating many disorders. Historically, people applied silver solutions as a topical antiseptic, and silver nitrate eyedrops are still administered to newborn infants to prevent eye infections. Consuming large amounts of silver or taking it for lengthy time frames can cause serious side effects.

Expert Insight

• According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, negative effects associated with silver supplementation include seizures and kidney damage.

Pregnancy Concerns

• Pregnant women should not take colloidal silver because it is linked to developmental abnormalities in unborn babies.

Drug Interactions

• Colloidal silver decreases the absorption of some medications. These include penicillamine, quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics, and thyroxine.

Side Effects

• In a poll conducted by the Silver Medicine website, a small number of respondents reported adverse effects from taking colloidal silver. These side effects included diarrhea, digestive problems, gas and a problem with calcium absorption.

Skin Condition

• People who consume colloidal silver in large amounts or for long periods can experience a permanent change in skin color to ash-gray or blue-gray, a condition called argyria. This results from excess silver being deposited in the body.