Have you ever heard of the man who turned blue? Sounds like a crazy story, right? Well, it's true! Meet Paul Karason, who had a unique condition that turned his skin a striking shade of blue.

Paul Karason was born in 1950 in California, and he led a normal life for many years. However, when he was in his thirties, he noticed that his skin was turning blue. It started with his face and gradually spread to his entire body. He had a rare medical condition called argyria, which is caused by the accumulation of silver in the body.

Karason had been drinking a homemade silver solution, which he believed could cure various health issues. The solution was made by mixing colloidal silver, which is a suspension of silver nanoparticles, with water. Karason drank this solution for over ten years, and as a result, silver particles started to accumulate in his body, turning his skin blue.

Karason's condition drew worldwide attention, and he became known as "Papa Smurf" due to his striking blue skin color, which resembled that of the popular cartoon character. Karason himself took his condition in stride, often making jokes about his appearance. He once quipped, "I'm blue, da ba dee da ba die," referencing the famous song "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Italian music group Eiffel 65.

Although Karason's condition was rare, it highlighted the dangers of ingesting colloidal silver as a health supplement. The FDA has issued warnings against the use of colloidal silver as a dietary supplement, as it can have harmful side effects. Excessive consumption of silver can lead to a condition called argyria, which causes a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes.

Karason passed away in 2013 at the age of 62, reportedly due to a heart attack. However, his unique condition continues to capture the public's imagination, and he remains a fascinating figure in the medical community.

So, there you have it - the strange case of the man who turned blue! A fun fact to share with your friends and family, but also a cautionary tale about the importance of being careful with what we put into our bodies.