Drug reactions: argyria: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Dermatology · Drug reactions: argyria

Sample item

A man who has taken a colloidal silver preparation for years develops slate-grey pigmentation of the face and hands, accentuated in sun-exposed areas. Which is the diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Argyria

Argyria is slate-grey to blue-grey pigmentation from silver deposition in the dermis, accentuated by light because silver is reduced and stimulates melanin. It is permanent. Chrysiasis from gold salts has a similar sun-exposed blue-grey pattern but follows gold therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Addison disease

    Addison disease causes diffuse tanning with mucosal pigmentation.

  • B. Chrysiasis

    Chrysiasis follows gold therapy.

  • C. Argyria (correct)

    Correct. Silver ingestion causes argyria.

  • D. Ochronosis

    Ochronosis follows hydroquinone or alkaptonuria with blue-black pigment.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Argyria. Argyria is slate-grey to blue-grey pigmentation from silver deposition in the dermis, accentuated by light because silver is reduced and stimulates melanin.

Why is "Addison disease" not the answer?

Addison disease causes diffuse tanning with mucosal pigmentation.

Why is "Chrysiasis" not the answer?

Chrysiasis follows gold therapy.

Why is "Ochronosis" not the answer?

Ochronosis follows hydroquinone or alkaptonuria with blue-black pigment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drug reactions: argyria in Dermatology. It is permanent. Chrysiasis from gold salts has a similar sun-exposed blue-grey pattern but follows gold therapy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Drug reactions: argyria?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.