A condition called argyria causes a person’s skin to turn blue or gray due to silver accumulation in the body. This unusual discoloration often appears in places exposed to sunlight and can affect various organs.
Paul Karason, nicknamed “Papa Smurf,” became famous for this condition. Before his skin changed, he was a fair-skinned man who suffered from dermatitis. He began drinking colloidal silver, a homemade solution, consuming around 10 ounces daily for a decade.
Paul didn’t notice the color change until a friend pointed it out during a visit. Despite the blue skin, he claimed the silver helped his health, curing acid reflux and easing arthritis pain.
Paul passed away in 2013 after suffering a heart attack and stroke. His wife said he didn’t always like his nickname, especially when adults used it. He spent his later years mostly at home, recovering from surgery and enjoying history books and TV.
His story serves as a caution about the dangers of self-treatment with silver and the lasting effects it can have.
