Overview

Colloidal silver is sometimes applied to the skin to treat or prevent minor skin infections, although it may not work as well as topical antibiotics. Taking colloidal silver by mouth does not have any clear benefits and can cause serious side effects. Some of these serious side effects include seizures, kidney damage, or nerve problems. Over time, taking colloidal silver can also cause your skin, eyes, gums, and nails to turn blue or gray. Before using colloidal silver, speak with your health care provider about the potential risks and benefits.

Uses

What is colloidal silver used for?

Colloidal silver is sometimes applied to the skin to treat or prevent minor skin infections.

Some people take colloidal silver by mouth for various reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Taking colloidal silver regularly or in high doses can cause serious health problems.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed colloidal silver for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

Some products containing silver that are applied to the skin have been evaluated and approved by the FDA. These products are not the same as colloidal silver. See Silver Sulfadiazine to learn more.

How does colloidal silver work (mechanism of action)?

Colloidal silver is a liquid mixture that contains tiny particles of silver. Silver is a metal that is not known to have any important functions in the body. It is also not considered to be a normal part of the diet.

In lab experiments, silver can help kill microbes that cause infections, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Applying colloidal silver to the skin may help treat minor skin infections, but it may not work as well as topical antibiotics. Colloidal silver is also sometimes added to products, such as soap, to help prevent infections. But most studies show that using antibacterial soap does not work any better than regular soap for preventing infections.

There is no evidence that swallowing colloidal silver or spraying it into your nose can help fight infections. Instead, using colloidal silver in these ways can cause serious health problems.

How should I store colloidal silver?

You should store colloidal silver according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of colloidal silver?

The most common side effects of taking colloidal silver by mouth are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Blue or gray coloring of the skin, eyes, gums, and nails (see below)
• Nerve problems in the hands or feet (see below)

There may be other side effects of colloidal silver that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of colloidal silver?

While less common, the most serious side effects of taking colloidal silver by mouth are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Colloidal silver may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using colloidal silver and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Blue or Gray Coloring of the Skin, Eyes, Gums, and Nails (Argyria). Taking colloidal silver regularly or in high doses can cause your skin, eyes, nails, and gums to turn blue or gray (argyria). This permanent color change is caused by silver buildup in your body. It usually starts in your gums and then moves to your skin, especially skin that is exposed to the sun. The color change can also affect your nails, eyes, and internal organs. If you notice any parts of your body turning a bluish or grayish color, stop using colloidal silver and call your health care provider right away. Stopping colloidal silver can help prevent other parts of your body from changing color, but it will not reverse any changes that have already happened.

Nerve Problems.Nerves are the fibers that carry sensations from your body to the brain. Damage to these nerves, called peripheral neuropathy, can happen in people who are taking colloidal silver. This risk may be higher in people who take colloidal silver regularly or in high doses. Stop taking colloidal silver and call your health care provider if you have pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

Kidney Damage.****Kidney damage can happen when taking colloidal silver, especially when it is used regularly or in high doses. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

• Reduced need to pee
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• A hard time catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Seizures

Seizures. Some people who have taken colloidal silver have reported having seizures. This risk may be higher in people who take colloidal silver regularly or who take high doses. There are different types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking colloidal silver and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

• Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
• Stiffening of your arms and legs
• Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Falling or losing consciousness

Precautions

Who should not use colloidal silver?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use colloidal silver.

• Colloidal silver
• Silver (Ag)
• Silver hydrosol
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific colloidal silver products they stock.

What should I know about colloidal silver before using it?

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider. Keep colloidal silver out of the reach of children.

Colloidal silver is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Taking colloidal silver by mouth can cause serious health problems. It can also permanently change the color of your skin, gums, nails, and eyes. These risks are highest in people who take high doses of colloidal silver or who take it regularly for an extended time. The FDA has warned consumers about the risks of taking colloidal silver by mouth. See the Side Effects section for more details.

Colloidal silver may be added to creams, gels, and sprays that are applied to the skin. These products are marketed to help treat minor skin infections. Keep these products away from your mouth and eyes. If you get colloidal silver in your eyes, wash them right away with water.

Do not apply colloidal silver to damaged skin, such as cuts, scrapes, or wounds. If your symptoms get worse, stop using colloidal silver and tell your health care provider. If your symptoms do not get better within three to five days, contact your health care provider.

Many colloidal silver products have been found to contain much higher amounts of silver than listed on the label. The FDA has not tested colloidal silver products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using colloidal silver?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if colloidal silver is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney or liver problems
• Nerve problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how colloidal silver could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if colloidal silver passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does colloidal silver interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between colloidal silver and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect colloidal silver.

Does colloidal silver interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between colloidal silver and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with colloidal silver is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking colloidal silver with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much colloidal silver?

If you or someone else has used too much colloidal silver, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Colloidal silver may be added to products that are applied to the skin. Taking colloidal silver by mouth may be unsafe and can cause serious health problems. Speak to a health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.