Experts warn against viral ‘skin-healing’ supplement that can turn your face BLUE – after woman died from using too much

Experts have issued a crucial warning against a popular ‘skin healing’ supplement that can lead to seizures, kidney damage and even turn your skin blue.

The product, which can be taken as an oral supplement or applied to the skin in liquid form, is called colloidal silver – a mixture of tiny metal particles mixed with water, said to have miraculous wound-healing properties.

On TikTok, fans are touting its benefits for a range of skin conditions such as eczema, claiming the oral supplements, which cost between $15 and 20, can help fight infections.

One of the most high-profile advocates is Oscar-winning actor Helen Mirren, who recently revealed that she keeps a $16 healing ointment in colloidal silver in her makeup bag in case of skin problems.

In a video published by British magazine Harper’s Bazaar, she said: ‘This is called active silver and it looks like a colloidal silver gel. A little bit of that if you have a rash or something wrong with your skin, a dry spot, this stuff magically fixes it.”

Applying the ingredient to the skin is much less risky than ingesting it, but experts say topical use still carries a high risk of irritation and burns.

Meanwhile, those who take the supplement religiously tout its purported benefits to millions of followers on social media, while health companies sell the dangerous pills directly to consumers via TikTok.

“There have been serious side effects (from ingestion) such as seizures, psychosis, neuropathy (burning pain, usually in the hands and feet), and even deaths reported from the use of colloidal silver,” said medical toxicologist Dr. Maryann Amirshahi.

‘Because there is no information to suggest that colloidal silver is effective for treating any condition, the risks of using it outweigh the benefits.’

The warnings follow the death of 45-year-old Amy Carlson from Colorado, who tragically lost her life in 2021 after drinking liquid colloidal silver.

Carlson was the leader of the Love Has Won cult — the subject of a new HBO documentary — and is said to have taken the supplement daily for years, believing it had healing properties.

A coroner’s report stated that her body was found surrounded by eight small brown bottles with “colloidal” labels on them.

Her cause of death was listed as alcohol abuse, anorexia and chronic ingestion of colloidal silver.

Colloidal silver consists of small metal particles mixed with a liquid, usually water.

While many claim it has health and beauty benefits, public health officials have long warned that it is at best useless and, at worst, harmful.

The FDA issued a statement in 1999 labeling colloidal silver as unsafe and ineffective for any disease or condition.

The agency banned the use of colloidal silver in over-the-counter drugs due to a lack of evidence of any health benefits.

NCCIH, a government agency within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stated that colloidal silver can cause the malabsorption of medications, such as certain antibiotics and thyroxine (used to treat thyroid deficiency).

Of the serious side effects, the most common is argyria: a buildup of silver in the body that turns the skin a bluish-gray color, which is usually permanent.

Over time, the metallic tint can also discolor the nails, eyes and internal organs.

“People who have died of silver poisoning have been found to have a blue tinge to their internal organs,” says medical toxicologist Dr. Maryann Amirshahi.

There is also evidence that it can cause kidney, liver and nervous system problems.

The substance was first used to treat infections or wounds in the early 20th century, before antibiotics were available – because silver has antibacterial properties.

Dr. Amirshahi told DailyMail.com: ‘Because topical colloidal silver products have not been rigorously tested, there is not much information available.

‘What we do know is that people who have been exposed to silver compounds as part of their work have developed complaints of local argyria (blue-gray discoloration of the skin due to silver deposits).

“Part of the problem is that because there are no regulations for colloidal silver products, you may not know how much silver is in them.”

‘In addition to the local effects, some of the colloidal silver can be absorbed through the skin, especially if it is broken or inflamed,’ added Dr Amirshahi.

In February, the FDA issued official warnings to two supplement brands that sell colloidal silver alongside unsubstantiated health claims.

Dr. Green Mom, run by naturopathic doctor Ashley Mayer, stated on its website: ‘As an antiviral agent, silver can kill the virus that causes Covid-19 and can be an effective complementary treatment.

‘There is also some evidence that it may be effective against other viruses of interest, including monkeypox, herpes, RSV and viruses that cause upper respiratory infections (such as influenza).’

Another company, Noble Elements, also claimed that its colloidal silver was effective against monkeypox.

Internal medicine Dr. Melissa Young said colloidal silver should not be ingested “under any circumstances.”

“There is potential harm associated with the internal use of colloidal silver,” she said. “The silver can enter your healthy cells and cause them to die, just like they cause bacteria to die.”

As for applying to the skin, Dr Young said: ‘The benefits of colloidal silver can extend to minor infections, irritations and burns when applied to the skin. The antimicrobial effect of silver can help prevent or treat an infection.

“But if you see the affected area become red or inflamed after using colloidal silver, stop using it and seek medical attention.”

Another famous example of colloidal silver ingestion is Paul Karason, from California, who became known as ‘Papa Smurf’ because of his characteristic blue skin color.

In 2008, he told how years of using a silver compound to treat a severe case of dermatitis on his face had left him completely blue from head to toe.

He led a very secluded life until he appeared on NBC’s Today Show to discuss his condition.

He died in 2013 at the age of 62 after contracting pneumonia and having a severe stroke and heart attack.

Some creams and topical products containing silver extracts are approved for use by the FDA, but these differ significantly from those containing colloidal silver.

Of colloidal silver, its interaction with water, and the unregulated nature of the products make them much riskier and provide little to no benefit.