Paul Karason, a man made famous after his skin turned permanently blue 15 years ago, has passed away at 62 after suffering a heart attack, according to The Christian Post.

Karason’s skin turned blue after he used colloidal silver, a liquid made by extracting silver from metal, to treat his dermatitis – a condition that causes swollen, red and itchy skin. Karason reportedly drank the silver-based remedy and rubbed it on his skin.

“The change was so gradual that I didn't perceive it and other people around me likewise," said Karason in an earlier interview. "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?’"

After turning blue, Karason led a reclusive life until appearing on the Today show in 2008.

Karason suffered from heart problems and underwent a triple bypass five years ago, according to the Christian Post. He had also recently suffered a bout of severe pneumonia and a stroke.

More On This... Man Claims Skin Treatment Turned Face Permanent Blue

The use of colloidal silver in oral drugs has since been banned by the FDA, according to the National Institute of Health.

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