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Porphyria refers to a group of disorders that result in a buildup of chemicals called porphyrins in your body. Although porphyrins are normal body chemicals, it's not normal for them to build up. The cause is usually an inherited mutation.

Porphyria typically affects your nervous system or skin or both. The specific signs and symptoms of porphyria depend on which of your genes is abnormal.

Treatment depends on the type of porphyria you have. Although porphyria can't be cured, certain lifestyle changes may help you manage your porphyria. Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff

Porphyria is generally divided into two categories:

* Acute porphyrias. These include forms of the disease that cause predominantly nervous system symptoms (neuron porphyrias) and, in some cases, skin symptoms (neurocutaneous porphyrias), as well.
* Cutaneous porphyrias. These include forms of the disease that cause skin symptoms as a result of oversensitivity to sunlight, but don't affect your nervous system.

Specific signs and symptoms depend on the type of porphyria you have, but common signs and symptoms of porphyria include:

Acute porphyrias