The “Avatar”-Like Family with Blue Skin Color

In rural Kentucky, a family had blue skin color which was due to a rare genetic condition

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It traveled through generations due to excessive inbreeding within the family

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According to an article named “Blue People of Troublesome Creek” written by Cathy Trost of the University of Indiana, the blue-colored family gained public attention in 1982

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One of their descendant Benjy Stacy's birth news spread via ABC News

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Benjy was born with dark blue skin pigmentation and was transferred to the University of Kentucky Medical Center

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This rare genetic condition is known asmethemoglobinemia which helps red blood cells contain an abnormal amount of methemoglobin

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Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin but it is unable to carry oxygen to the tissues.

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In this way, body tissues lack oxygenation and turn blue

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A doctor named Madison Cawein was able to find a potential cure. He administered Dennis Stacy, one of the Fugates seeking help, to take methylene blue dye which converts methemoglobin to hemoglobin.

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Benjy Stacy could get rid of his blue color at the age of 7 because he got it from one of his parents

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