The world's most famous blue man, Paul Karason, also called Papa Smurf, was born as a normal boy with fair skin and carrot hair.
In the 2000s, he became an internet sensation and made several television appearances where he spoke openly about his condition.
Paul Karason had a skin condition that caused the skin to dry out. He also suffered from arthritis and stomach reflux. Trying to find a solution to these diseases, Paul discovered an amount of silver found in water, also known as "colloidal silver".
Colloidal silver was widely used as an antibiotic before penicillin was invented in the 1930s. It was banned in 1999 after scientists discovered it could seriously damage internal organs.
Karason drank what he believed to be a miracle cure for more than 10 years. Additionally, he began applying a silver preparation directly to his skin.
After these "treatments", he claimed that his acid reflux and arthritis went away.
However, due to the accumulation of silver in the skin, Paul began to turn blue. This was a permanent, rare condition known as "argyria" (argyria).
Paul Karason passed away in 2013 at the age of 62 due to heart complications.
Papa Smurf's story serves as a valuable lesson in the importance of being cautious when it comes to selecting medical treatments without the advice of a professional.
