Diseases

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda(Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria)

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Porphyria: one of a variety of hereditary diseases that are characterized by abnormalities in the reactions needed for the production of heme, an essential substance for the body, resulting in increased formation and excretion of chemicals called porphyrins. Most porphyrias affect the skin or the nervous system.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms vary depending on the specific type. Acute porphyrias affect the nervous system and other organs. Cutaneous porphyrias primarily affect the skin.

CAUSES

Too much iron.
Use of alcohol or estrogen.
Smoking.
Chronic hepatitis c—a long-lasting liver disease that causes inflammation, or swelling, of the liver.
Hiv—the virus that causes aids.
Abnormal genes associated with hemochromatosis—the most common form of iron overload disease, which causes the body to absorb too much iron.