Erythropoietic+Protoporphyria

Erythropoietic protoporphyria is a disease of porphyrin metabolism characterized by abnormally elevated levels of protoporphyrin IX in erythrocytes, feces and plasma, and by sensitivity to visible light. Protoporphyrin accumulates in the bone marrow, red blood cells and sometimes the liver. Excess protoporphyrin is excreted by the liver into the bile, after which it enters the intestine and is excreted in the feces. The urinary porphyrins are normal. EPP is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with poor penetrance.

=Symptoms= Swelling, burning, itching, and redness of the skin may appear during or after exposure to sunlight, including sunlight that passes through window glass. This can cause mild to severe burning pain on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Usually, these symptoms subside in 12 to 24 hours and heal without significant scarring or discoloration of the skin. Occasionally, the skin problems occur only after extended sunlight exposure. The skin lesions may progress to a chronic stage persisting for weeks and healing with superficial scars. However, blistering and scarring is less common than in other types of "cutaneous" porphyria. Skin manifestations generally begin during childhood. They are more severe in the summer and can recur throughout life. Other manifestations may include gallstones containing protoporphyrin and, sometimes, severe liver complications.

=Treatment=

Orthomolecular Treatment
Beta-carotine