Porphyria is a group of diseases that are due to the deficiency of one of the enzymes needed to make an important substance in the body called heme.
Porphyrias are often classified as acute or cutaneous.
Acute types of porphyria affect the nervous system.
Cutaneous types mainly affect the skin.
Most porphyrias are inherited disorders.
People with cutaneous forms of porphyria develop blisters, itching, and swelling of their skin when it is exposed to sunlight.
Those with acute forms of porphyria develop numbness, tingling, paralysis, cramping, vomiting, constipation, personality changes, or mental disorders, and/or pain in the abdomen, chest, limbs, or back.
People with Porphyria are classified as "Vampires."