General Facts About Colloidal Silver Benefits

Silver has numerous uses mainly in the manufacturing, medical and cosmetic industries. When small particles of this element are suspended in a liquid, the result is known as colloidal silver. This form is what was and is still used in medical practice. For many years, it was considered the most effective antibiotic drug for many infections. However, numerous advances made during the twentieth century resulted in the discovery of better drugs and the colloid lost its place.

One of the characteristics of a good antibiotic is that it has a therapeutic effect at very small quantities. In pharmacological terms, the antibiotic is said to have a high efficacy. Related to the same, it should also have a wide therapeutic range meaning harmful effects are only seen with very high doses. Unlike many of the commonly used drugs currently, the colloid does not strictly meet these requirements. This, compounded to the fact that it is more expensive to produce are the reasons why it is no longer routinely used.

The colloid is effective against many organisms that infect the skin and mucosal body cavities. One of the uses that has persisted over the years is its incorporation in endotracheal tubes to act as prophylaxis against pneumonia. Such a measure is necessary in patients requiring intubation during general anesthesia or those that require prolonged ventilator support in intensive care units. The same principle has been applied to cardiac and orthopedic prostheses.

Several types of formulations have been created for use. They include, ointments, wound dressings and creams. The creams are widely used to treat burn wounds. Their effective in this area stems from the fact that the cream prevents excessive water loss in the form of evaporation and also kills microbial organisms at the site. Dressings impregnated with the colloid are effective in managing chronic diabetic wounds.

When reacted with various salts, useful compounds are formed. Silver nitrate is one of such compounds. It is an important ingredient in the eye ointment that is usually given as prophylaxis against conjunctivitis in newborns. It is also used in dermatological conditions such as genital warts and corns.

One of the most dramatic side effects of using silver compounds in high doses or over a prolonged period of time is a condition termed agyria. This condition manifests as a color change to the skin to blue or gray in areas of the skin where accumulation of the element has taken place. Since the effects are most pronounced in the hands and on the face. A reaction between sunlight and the element is believed to be the cause.

The element has a potential to accumulate in internal organs such as the kidney, heart, liver and the brain. This is likely to occur when very high doses are used or when the element is used for a prolonged period of time. This event is potentially fatal due to significant impairment of the affected organs. Currently, no therapy for this condition exists. Laser treatments for the same are still the subject of research.

There is no doubt that the use of silver based treatments has greatly reduced over the years. There are some applications, however, that have persisted. When using the products due caution should be taken due to the likelihood of detrimental effects particular in very high doses. For this reason, the use of such therapies should only be done as guided by a prescription.

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