Antiviral Claims

• According to the Mayo Clinic, some colloidal silver products have been touted by their manufacturers as effective treatments for infections that are caused by many viruses including the HIV virus and herpes viruses. The antiviral claims of colloidal silver products have not been substantiated by scientific studies.
  
  

Other Health Claims

• Other scientifically unproven health claims have been made about the use of colloidal silver as a treatment for bacterial infections, cancer and eye ailments.
  
  

Argyria

• Long-term use of colloidal silver may cause argyria, a bluish gray discoloration of a patient's skin, eyes and nails that is not a serious health problem, but its cosmetic effects are usually irreversible.
  
  

Other Complications

• High doses of colloidal silver may result in serious medical complications including kidney damage, skin irritation and neurological conditions such as seizures.
  
  

Drug Interactions

• Patients may experience drug interactions if they take colloidal silver concurrently with tetracycline, quinolones and thyroxine medications.