endocrine and metabolic disorders
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Symptoms and Signs of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Patients with porphyria cutanea tarda present with fragile skin, mainly on sun-exposed areas. Phototoxicity is delayed, thus patients do not always connect sun exposure with symptoms. Porphyria cutanea tarda affects predominantly sun exposed areas including the earlobes in this patient. © Springer Science+Business Media This image shows erythema and ruptured bullae on the fingers of a patient with porphyria cutanea tarda. Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD. Erythema, bullae, and milia over the dorsum of the hand of a man with porphyria cutanea tarda. By permission of the publisher. From White K, Soter N. InCurrent Dermatologic Diagnosis and Treatment. Edited by I Freedberg, IM Freedberg, and MR Sanchez. Philadelphia, Current Medicine, 2001. Atrophic scars have developed after rupture of bullae. Some bullae are hemorrhagic. © Springer Science+Business Media Spontaneously or after minor trauma, tense bullae develop. Some bullae are hemorrhagic. Accompanying erosions and ulcers may develop secondary infection; they heal slowly, leaving atrophic scars. Sun exposure occasionally leads to erythema, edema, or itching. Hyperemic conjunctivitis may develop, but other mucosal sites are not affected. Areas of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may develop, as may facial hypertrichosis and pseudosclerodermoid changes. 