Is Colloidal Silver Safe?

If you’re considering taking colloidal silver to address health issues, the advice is simple: DON’T DO IT. (How’s that for being direct?)

Colloidal silver is a solution of tiny silver particles suspended in a liquid base. This is essentially the same silver as the metal — the kind you find on the periodic table of elements or in your jewelry box. As you might imagine, that’s not exactly healthy to ingest.

But colloidal silver continues to be touted as a medicinal cure-all and added to various supplements. Avoid these products, urges functional medicine specialist Melissa Young, MD. Here’s why.

Risks of taking colloidal silver

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that colloidal silver is more snake oil than a magic bullet, with no substantial scientific evidence supporting its use for treating any disease or condition.

“You should not take it internally — swallowed as an over-the-counter supplement — under any circumstances,” states Dr. Young. “It can cause harm.”

Potential side effects of taking colloidal silver internally include:

• Blue skin: Colloidal silver can build up in your body and cause your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails and gums to turn blueish-gray. (The condition is called argyria.) The discoloration is often permanent and darkest in skin areas most exposed to the sun.
• Poor absorption of medication: Colloidal silver can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, such as antibiotics and thyroid medications.
• Toxicity: Colloidal silver can contain contaminants that could be toxic. “Studies have also shown that silver can interfere with kidney and liver function and damage the central nervous system,” adds Dr. Young.

The FDA took action regarding colloidal silver in 1999 and declared that “over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts are not generally recognized as safe and effective.”

Questionable health claims about colloidal silver

Colloidal silver’s use as a health remedy goes back to 1500 B.C. in China. Ancient civilizations commonly used silver to treat a variety of ailments due to its antimicrobial properties (which are proven).

But once effective antibiotics came on the scene, colloidal silver fell out of favor until being adopted by those selling over-the-counter supplements.

Questionable product marketing often overstates the potential power of colloidal silver. Claims frequently focus on how colloidal silver works to eliminate internal toxins while boosting the immune system.

It has been touted as a treatment for cancer, COVID-19, diabetes, HIV, Lyme disease, the common cold … well, you get the picture. In all, folks have billed colloidal silver as a remedy for 650 different conditions, according to the FDA.

That also explains why the FDA and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission have taken action against companies for deceiving claims about colloidal silver products.

Colloidal silver products

Manufacturers typically sell colloidal silver as a spray or liquid. Product names vary, but you’ll most often see these names on the store shelf:

• Colloidal silver nebulizer.
• Colloidal silver spray.
• Silver hydrosol.
• Silver sol.
• Silver water.

Most colloidal silver products have between 10 to 30 parts per million (ppm) of silver. Over time, these concentrations can exceed unsafe dose limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Just because something is an over-the-counter herb or supplement does not mean it’s safe,” stresses Dr. Young. “Taking colloidal silver comes with serious health risks.”

Colloidal silver and wound treatment

While putting colloidal silver inside your body is considered a bad idea, there may be some benefits to using it externally.

Colloidal silver’s ability to destroy germs and bacteria can make it effective in treating minor skin infections, irritations and burns, says Dr. Young. Manufacturers sometimes add silver to bandages and dressings to help people heal faster.

“Silver’s antimicrobial effect can help prevent or treat an infection,” she continues. “But if you see the affected area becoming red or inflamed after using colloidal silver, stop using it and seek medical attention.”

But overall, it’s best to talk with a healthcare provider before considering skin treatment with colloidal silver.

Bottom line

Let’s end with the same advice offered in the first sentence of this article: NEVER take colloidal silver internally, as it hasn’t proven to be effective against any health conditions and could be harmful to you.

“Ingestion of colloidal silver should be avoided,” reiterates Dr. Young. “There’s no proven benefit, but we know it can cause damage.”