Porphyrias
<p>One of the porphyrias should be considered in the following clinical settings:
 
The acute (hepatic) porphyrias — One of the acute porphyrias should be considered in patients presenting with otherwise unexplained nonspecific neurovisceral complaints (e.g., abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, motor neuropathies, respiratory paralysis), the most common of which is abdominal pain.
 
The cutaneous (erythropoietic) porphyrias — One of several cutaneous porphyrias should be considered in patients presenting with blistering cutaneous lesions on sun-exposed areas (especially the backs of the hands). This occurs most commonly in PCT, but also in HCP, VP, HEP, and CEP. Non blistering and immediate cutaneous photosensitivity, with pain, itching and swelling that is often transient should suggest a diagnosis of EPP.</p>