A Man Turned Blue After Years of Taking Dietary Supplements

Paul Karason, the renowned blue man, also known as Papa Smurf, entered this world as a fair-skinned, ginger-haired boy adorned with freckles. It was in the early 2000s that Karason’s popularity skyrocketed, thanks to his internet fame and numerous television appearances, where he candidly discussed his condition. Join us as we delve into the reasons behind Karason’s blue complexion and explore how his story serves as a cautionary tale.

Despite suffering from skin flaking, acid reflux, and arthritis, Paul Karason was determined to find a solution to alleviate his ailments. Through his own research, he discovered colloidal silver — a solution of silver in water that was once widely used as an antibiotic before the advent of penicillin in the 1930s.

However, colloidal silver was banned in over-the-counter medications in 1999 when scientists discovered its potential to cause severe damage to internal organs.

For more than a decade, Karason consumed what he believed to be a miraculous cure. He even applied a silver preparation on his skin, claiming that it cured his acid reflux and arthritis. “I had arthritis in my shoulders so bad I couldn’t pull a T-shirt off. And the next thing I knew, it was just gone,” he shared.

However, prolonged use of colloidal silver led to the accumulation of silver in his body, causing a permanent and rare condition known as argyria. It was only when an old friend asked him, “What have you done to yourself?” that Karason realized he had turned blue due to the silver accumulation in his skin.

According to Karason, his blue skin brought him some benefits. He never experienced sunburns and didn’t need to wear sunglasses. However, there were some drawbacks that he found difficult to handle. He shared that some people were “less than polite” towards him. Additionally, Karason revealed that he faced difficulty finding employment due to employers’ reluctance to hire individuals who are “noticeably different” or, in his case, blue.

Tragically, Paul Karason passed away in 2013 at the age of 62 due to complications related to his heart.

Papa Smurf’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers associated with at-home remedies. While seeking quick and easy solutions to health issues is understandable, it’s crucial to recognize that such remedies can carry significant risks. Seeking the guidance of a medical professional and following their recommendations is always the safest and most effective approach to treatment.

As we mourn the loss of Paul Karason, let’s take a moment to celebrate the life and journey of another person whose story of self-acceptance is truly inspiring.