57-year-old Paul Karason used a substance called colloidal silver, as it is believed to cure ailments. Karason doesn't think that drinking the potion is to blame for the side effect, but admits that he did rub it into his face to treat a skin problem.

His skin has since had an even greater impact on his life, and people in Oregon were unkind to him, he has moved to California in a bid to live a more peaceful life.

"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 a different kind of community here."