Colloidal Silver: Risks, Argyria and Claims Checked
Colloidal silver checked: what NCCIH and the FDA have said, how it can cause permanent blue-gray skin discoloration (argyria), and which medicines it may affect.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Safety first
Colloidal silver can cause serious side effects. The most common is argyria, a build-up of silver in the body's tissues that causes a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, which NCCIH says is usually permanent. [1] If someone has swallowed a silver product and is unwell, or a child has swallowed any liquid supplement, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). Call 911 for collapse, seizure, trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat. This page gives no advice on using colloidal silver.The claim as marketed
Colloidal silver is tiny silver particles in a liquid. NCCIH says it is sometimes promoted on the internet as a dietary supplement, but evidence supporting health-related claims is lacking. [1] Products are also sometimes sold as homeopathic remedies. [1]What the evidence is
| Claim or question | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Does silver have a job in the body? | NCCIH: silver has no known functions or benefits in the body when taken by mouth and is not an essential mineral. [1] | No good evidence of benefit |
| Infections and wounds | Used before antibiotics became available. [1] This is historical use, not proof it worked. | Traditional use only |
| Chronic sinus infection (nasal spray) | A few studies did not show meaningful improvements. [1] | Insufficient evidence |
| COVID-19 | NCCIH: no clinical evidence supports using colloidal silver to prevent or treat it. [1] | No good evidence of benefit |
We looked at NCCIH and LactMed pages for human trials and found only the nasal-spray studies above. Proper evidence not found for other uses in those sources.
What regulators say
NCCIH reports that the FDA has warned that colloidal silver is not safe or effective for treating any disease or condition, and that the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have taken action against a number of companies for misleading claims about colloidal silver products. [1] We could not open the FDA's own pages this session, so these are NCCIH's statements about the FDA.Documented risks
- Argyria. Silver builds up in tissues and the skin discoloration is usually permanent. [1] LactMed also describes argyria as a permanent gray discoloration after long-term oral use. [2]
- Medicines. NCCIH says colloidal silver can cause poor absorption of some drugs, such as certain antibiotics and thyroxine (used to treat thyroid deficiency). [1] See How Interactions Work and Supplements and Thyroid Medicines.
- Organs. There is also some evidence that it can cause kidney, liver or nervous system problems. [1] People with kidney or liver conditions should ask a clinician about any silver product.
- Delayed care. NCCIH says products not proven safe and effective should never be a reason to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. [1]
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
LactMed (NIH) says silver levels in breast milk have not been measured after maternal use of colloidal silver, and that since it has no proven medical benefit it should not be used during breastfeeding. [2] Pregnancy and children are not described in the sources we read, which is not the same as being safe. Ask a clinician.Supplement rules and warnings
Because it is sometimes promoted as a supplement, see Unsafe Products and Warnings and How Supplements Are Regulated.What a reader can safely do
- Do not rely on a label or video that says silver treats infections. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about what you are trying to treat.
- If you already take a silver product, tell your prescriber or pharmacist, especially if you take thyroid medicine or antibiotics.
- If skin has turned gray or blue, see a clinician.
- Report side effects as described in Side Effects, Allergic Reactions and Reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Is colloidal silver safe?
NCCIH reports the FDA has warned that it is not safe or effective for treating any disease or condition. [1]
What is argyria?
A build-up of silver in the body's tissues causing bluish-gray skin discoloration, usually permanent. [1]
Does colloidal silver work for infections?
It was used before antibiotics, but NCCIH says evidence supporting health claims is lacking. [1]
Can it affect my medicines?
NCCIH says it can cause poor absorption of some drugs, such as certain antibiotics and thyroxine. [1]
Can I use it while breastfeeding?
LactMed says it should not be used during breastfeeding because it has no proven medical benefit. [2]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Colloidal Silver: What You Need To Know. NIH. Read 2026-10-23.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Colloidal Silver. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; entry dated 2026 Mar 15. PubMed 41855372. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.