Porphyria

<p>Porphyrias are a group of genetic disorders caused by problems with how your body makes a substance called heme.

Heme is found throughout the body, especially in your blood and bone marrow, where it carries oxygen. </p><p>There are two main types of porphyrias.

One affects the skin and the other affects the nervous system.

People with the skin type develop blisters, itching, and swelling of their skin when it is exposed to sunlight.

The nervous system type is called acute porphyria.

Symptoms include pain in the chest, abdomen, limbs, or back; muscle numbness, tingling, paralysis, or cramping; vomiting; constipation; and personality changes or mental disorders.

These symptoms come and go.</p><p>Certain triggers can cause an attack, including some medicines, smoking, drinking alcohol, inf