Man Claims Skin Treatment Turned Face Permanent Blue

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Man Claims Skin Treatment Turned Face Permanent Blue

Thursday, December 20, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317564,00.html

Karason puts a whole new spin on " feeling blue. " For more than

a decade, the 57-year-old has been living with a blue face.

Fourteen years ago, Karason developed a bad case of dermatitis,

which results in swollen, reddened and itchy skin. He started self-

medicating, using a treatment called colloidal silver, which is made

by extracting silver from metal.

Click here to hear the blue man tell his story (VIDEO)

Often touted by manufacturers as a cure-all, colloidal silver

usually is found in a liquid form. Looking for relief, Karason drank

the concoction and rubbed it on his skin — something the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration does not recommend.

His skin slowly turned blue.

" The change was so gradual that I didn't perceive it and other

people around me likewise, " said Karason. " It wasn't until a friend

I hadn't seen in several months came by my parent's place to see me

and he asked me 'what did you do?.' "

The FDA does not consider colloidal silver safe or effective to

treat any disease or condition. In fact, taking it could have

serious side effects, such as:

— Argyria — which is an irreversible blue-gray discoloration of your

skin, nails and gums

— Seizures and other neurological problems

— Kidney damage

— Indigestion

— Headaches

— Fatigue

— Skin irritation

Karason, who recently moved from Oregon to Madera, Calif., said it

hasn't been easy living with blue skin.

" I do tend to avoid public places as much as I can, " he said.

Karason made the move in hopes of fitting in a little better.

" I hope that they just accept me, " he said, " And I think that will

happen here. Where I was, I rather doubt it would have. This is

different kind of community here. "

Karason's girlfriend, Jackie Northrup, said she doesn't even notice

his skin color any more.

" The only time now I really think about it or notice it is if we're

out in public and people start staring, " she said.

So far, Karason hasn't sought any medical attention for his

condition. When he was asked if he's still drinking the colloidal

silver, he said yes, but much less.

SkyNews contributed to this report