Off to see the Wizard
Unless you’re planning to audition for your local production of “The Wizard of Oz” don’t use Coldargan (0·85 mg silver protein, 0·68 mg ephedrine levulinate, 0·24 mg sodium levulinate, and 0·075 mg calcium levulinate per drop) topical vascoconstrictor for your runny nose!
This unfortunate chap developed generalized argyrosis due to the formation of silver deposits in his skin after using at least bottle of Coldargan every week for four years.
Due to its rarity argyrosis (also known as argyrism or argyria) is often misdiagnosed. It is essentially incurable.
Clinical and histological appearance of argyrosis. Obvious discolouration (top) caused by intradermal silver deposits (bottom). Source: Tomi NS, et al (2004)
References
- Tomi NS, Kränke B, Aberer W. A silver man. Lancet. 2004 Feb 14;363(9408):532 [The Lancet]
- Dermnet NZ: Argyria
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC