As others have already mentioned, in addition to the genetic cause of blue skin it can also be caused by an ingestion of silver.
There are several well-publicized cases, all of which were self-inflicted.
The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
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Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#62This article touches on something that remains very true today: if you want to study genetic disorders you look at closely-related populations. If the condition you want to study is linked to a recessive gene, you want to find (or create) an isolated population with that gene. In animals/plants this is why inbreeding can serve a useful function. If you want to detect a recessive gene, but either don't have access to…
> inbreeding can serve a useful function Are there any examples of species doing this 'deliberately'?
If I remember correctly, certain types fruit flies prefer inbreeding.
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#63This article touches on something that remains very true today: if you want to study genetic disorders you look at closely-related populations. If the condition you want to study is linked to a recessive gene, you want to find (or create) an isolated population with that gene. In animals/plants this is why inbreeding can serve a useful function. If you want to detect a recessive gene, but either don't have access to…
> inbreeding can serve a useful function Are there any examples of species doing this 'deliberately'?
Have you heard about the Fugate family from Kentucky?
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#64As others have already mentioned, in addition to the genetic cause of blue skin it can also be caused by an ingestion of silver. There are several well-publicized cases, all of which were self-inflicted. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyria
The patho is different. Fugates’ skin was due to methemoglobin. Argyria is the result of the accumulation of silver nanoparticles in body tissues. Argyria is not reversible.
I would imagine the actual hue of the blueness would be different.
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#65This article touches on something that remains very true today: if you want to study genetic disorders you look at closely-related populations. If the condition you want to study is linked to a recessive gene, you want to find (or create) an isolated population with that gene. In animals/plants this is why inbreeding can serve a useful function. If you want to detect a recessive gene, but either don't have access to…
> inbreeding can serve a useful function Are there any examples of species doing this 'deliberately'?
When they do it deliberately with cattle they call it line breeding.
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#66>Though today Benjy and most of the Fugate family descendants have lost their blue coloring, the tint still comes out in their skin when they are cold or flush with anger. I wish they had included at least one photograph of this.
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#67Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#68Some oxiditation (1%) of Hb (Fe 2+) to metHb (Fe 3+) is normal, it gets reduced back by the enzyme Cytochrome b5 reductase. So far so good.
But since metHb is dysfunctional and cannot bind oxygen and you need levels of at least 10% metHb to be visible as cyanosis: Why didn't they exhibit oxygen-deficit related symptoms?
Or can your body compensate with other mechanism if it's congenital? At least when it is visibly induced you most certainly will also suffer from symptoms like shortness of breath etc.
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#69This article touches on something that remains very true today: if you want to study genetic disorders you look at closely-related populations. If the condition you want to study is linked to a recessive gene, you want to find (or create) an isolated population with that gene. In animals/plants this is why inbreeding can serve a useful function. If you want to detect a recessive gene, but either don't have access to…
> inbreeding can serve a useful function Are there any examples of species doing this 'deliberately'?
Royal consanguinity marriages in old Europe. And many other places as well. Sibling marriages in Egypt and the Diadochi!
Re: The Fugate family of Kentucky has had blue skin for centuries (2017)
#70>Though today Benjy and most of the Fugate family descendants have lost their blue coloring, the tint still comes out in their skin when they are cold or flush with anger. I wish they had included at least one photograph of this.
