Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Blue Skinned Man Dies From Heart Failure

Paul Karason, who became famous after his skin turned permanently blue, died at a Washington hospital Monday. He was 62.

Karason was admitted in the hospital last week after suffering a heart attack. He also had pneumonia and later suffered a severe stroke, his estranged wife, Jo Anna Karason, said Tuesday.

Karason was born a fair-skinned, freckled boy but his skin began turning blue 15 years ago after he contracted a rare medical syndrome known as argyria or silver poisoning from dietary supplements.  He was reportedly using a special silver-based preparation to treat a bad case of dermatitis. He had also been drinking colloidal silver.

Jo Anna Karason said some people started calling him “Papa Smurf” after his skin changed color. His white mane and long beard added to the resemblance.

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