hormonal and metabolic disorders
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Symptoms of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
People with the sporadic type may not develop symptoms until middle age. People with the familial type may develop symptoms during childhood. Symptoms may not begin immediately after exposure to sunlight, so people may not realize that sun exposure is causing the symptoms. People with porphyria cutanea tarda experience chronic, recurring blisters of various sizes on sun-exposed areas such as the arms, face, and especially the backs of the hands. Crusting and scarring follow the blisters and take a long time to heal. The skin, especially on the hands, is fragile and sensitive to minor injury. Sometimes sun exposure causes swelling, itching, or redness. Hair growth on the face and other sun-exposed areas may increase. Sometimes areas of dark or light patches of skin develop. 