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

Experts have issued a vital 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-repairing properties. 

On TikTok, fans tout its benefits for a range of skin conditions like eczema, and claim the oral supplements, costing between $15-20 can help fight off infections. 

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

In a video published by UK magazine Harper’s Bazaar she said: ‘This is called active silver, and it’s like a silver colloidal gel. A little dab of that if you have a rash or something going wrong with your skin, a dry patch, this stuff just magically resolves it.’

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

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

‘There have been serious adverse effects [from ingestion] such as seizures, psychosis, neuropathy (burning pain usually in hands and feet), and even deaths reported from colloidal silver use,’ said Medical toxicologist Dr Maryann Amirshahi.

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

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

Carlson was the leader of the cult Love Has Won – which is the subject of a new HBO documentary – and is reported to have ingested the supplement daily for many years, as she believed 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 colloidal silver ingestion.

Colloidal silver is tiny particles of the metal mixed with a liquid – most commonly water. 

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

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

The body 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 poor absorption of drugs such as certain antibiotics and thyroxine (used to treat thyroid deficiency). 

Among serious side effects, the most common is argyria – a buildup of silver in the body that causes the skin to become a blue-gray color, which is usually permanent.

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

‘People who have died with silver poisoning have been found to have a blue tone to their internal organs,’ said 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 1900s, before antibiotics were available – as silver has known antibacterial properties.

Dr Amirshahi told DailyMail.com: ‘Because topical colloidal silver products have not been rigorously tested, there is not a lot of information out there. 

‘What we do know is that people that have been exposed to silver compounds as part of their job have developed symptoms of localized argyria (blue-gray discoloration of the skin due to silver deposition).

‘Part of the problem is that because colloidal silver products are not regulated, you may not know how much silver is in it.’ 

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

In February, the FDA issued official warnings to two supplement brands selling colloidal silver alongside unfounded health claims.

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

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

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

Internal medicine specialist Dr Melissa Young said colloidal silver should not be ingested ‘under any circumstances.’

‘There’s potential harm with the internal use of colloidal silver,’ she said. ‘The silver could enter your healthy cells and cause them to die, just like they cause bacteria to die.’

As for putting it on the skin, Dr Young said: ‘Colloidal silver’s benefits may extend to minor infections, irritations and burns when put on the skin. Silver’s antimicrobial effect can help prevent or treat an infection. 

‘But if you see the affected area becoming 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 the ‘Papa Smurf’ for his characteristic blue skin tone.

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

He led a very reclusive life until appearing on NBC’s Today Show to discuss his condition. 

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

Some creams and topical products containing extracts of silver are approved for use by the FDA – however these are markedly different to those featuring colloidal silver. 

With colloidal silver, the interaction with water and the products’ unregulated nature means they are far more risky, and serve little to no benefit.