The effects of silica on the skin

Silica is a natural chemical substance that exists in nature. After thousands of years of evolution, people have discovered many different uses for silica. For example, in the construction industry, silica can be used in the manufacture of glass products or porcelain products because it is insoluble in water and is very strong. At the same time, food-grade silica can also increase the lubricity of food, but what effect does eating more silica have on the skin?

Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is a hard, insoluble solid. It often appears in three variants: quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite. Silica has important uses in daily life, production, and scientific research, but it can sometimes cause harm to the human body. Although silica is non-toxic, it does not mean it is absolutely harmless.

Inhalation of silica dust can cause silicosis because it cannot be absorbed by the lungs and can only be deposited, eventually leading to lung fibrosis, inability to absorb oxygen, and ultimately suffocation. This is a very serious occupational disease that is prevalent in mines, quarries, cement industries, etc. where there is a lack of necessary protection. There is currently no very effective treatment for this disease, and it can only be controlled.

Silica made into filaments (i.e. things like glass fiber and asbestos) can easily pierce the skin when it comes in contact with the human body and remain inside the body, causing unrelieved stinging and itching. Although most of these conditions will resolve naturally, long-term exposure to such substances may lead to serious consequences such as blood vessel blockage and joint damage. For detailed information, it is recommended that you consult the doctors at Wuhan Modern Obstetrics and Gynecology in Qiaokou.