People are turning to alternative medicine such as colloidal silver nasal sprays to treat their sinus infections. Do they work and are they safe? read on to find out.
When minute particles of metallic (non-ionic) silver are suspended in fluid it is called colloidal silver. It can be taken orally, applied to the skin, used as eye drops or taken as a nasal spray.
Silver has well known anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and has historically been used for this purpose. People noticed that water stayed sweet for longer when kept in silver containers. Also the pioneers of the American West used the same trick when they put silver dollars inside wooden barrels used for storing water. Metallic silver was also used in ancient civilizations for splints and surgical prostheses. Therefore it follows that for bacterial and fungal sinus infections it should be effective.
The antibacterial effects of silver are not in dispute. A number of commercial burn and wound dressings incorporate silver salts. However, no evidence-based studies have so far been published in the medical literature to support any of the claims being made for the efficacy of colloidal silver taken internally. Following a review of the scientific literature, NCCAM (US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) came to the conclusion that there is no scientific support for colloidal silver being an effective treatment for any disease. The FDA also maintains that there is no scientific basis for the use of colloidal silver to treat diseases and dispute claims they are effective.
The NCCAM came to the conclusion that colloidal silver can cause serious side effects. The FDA also dispute claims that colloidal silver preparations are safe. There is a large variation in the silver content of different brands of colloidal silver. This is a potential risk to consumers
Unfortunately side effects have been reported, some severe such as liver and kidney damage, skin and eye irritation, fatigue, headaches etc. Colloidal silver can also prevent certain antibiotics from working properly.
Long-term use of colloidal silver, or the use of high doses, can result in argyria and argyrosis. Argyria is a permanent and irreversible change resulting in the skin becoming bluish-gray in color. It is most apparent in regions of the body that are exposed to sunlight. It is caused by silver forming complexes with proteins. These complexes accumulate in the skin. There they are transformed by the action of sunlight into inert silver salts, which are responsible for the discoloration. Argyrosis is the corresponding process occurring in the eyes. Argyria and argyrosis can occur following inhalation of a nasal spray, oral use or injection of colloidal silver, or following its application to mucous membranes.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a chronic oral reference dose (the dose at which the risk of developing argyria reaches a significant level). This is 5 milligrams of silver per kg body weight per day.
An effective and safe alternative to colloidal silver nasal sprays is SinuSoothe. This is a 100% natural nasal spray that is doctor recommended and contains ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective at killing bacterial and fungal infections. It also relieves pain, inflammation, improves sinus drainage and clears nasal congestion. It is non addictive and has no known drug interactions.
Please speak with your health physician before using new treatments.
Want to find out more about colloidal silver nasal sprays or natural nasal spraysthen visit Helen Miller’s site at SinuSoothe where she is always happy to help. Helen Miller provides advice to people with a wide range of nasal conditions.
