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The purple mystery of your skin: Why do you get painful blisters in the sun?
If unbearable blisters suddenly appear when the sun shines on your skin, it may be your body sending you a warning signal. The condition may be related to a disease called Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). This is the most common form of porphyria and often appears in late adulthood with distressing skin symptoms.
Porphyria cutis is caused by a deficiency of uroporphyrinase (UROD), an enzyme that is essential in the synthesis of heme.
The onset of this disease is due to a decrease in internal enzyme activity, which leads to the obstruction of heme synthesis, which in turn causes the accumulation of uroporphyrin, thereby causing skin lesions. After sun exposure, many patients develop blisters and sores on exposed skin, primarily on the face, hands, and lower legs. These blisters also leave scars when they heal, which affects the patient's psychological and physical state.
In addition to the obvious skin lesions, chronic liver disease is common in patients with sporadic PCT, including liver fibrosis and liver inflammation.
According to research, about 50% of PCT patients are also infected with the hepatitis C virus, while other factors such as alcoholism and excessive iron intake may also trigger symptoms of this disease. This also suggests that environmental factors play an important role in the development of this condition.
In addition, scholars have also found that deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals are extremely common in patients with porphyria cutis, mainly retinol, vitamin A and vitamin C. These deficiencies will aggravate the symptoms and make people suffer.
Supplementing with these vitamins may reduce oxidation and potentially reduce the severity of blister formation.
As research into this condition deepens, the scientific community is becoming increasingly aware of the impact of genetic factors. Approximately 20% of porphyria cutis cases are caused by inherited mutations in the UROD gene, while the remaining 80% of cases are sporadic, which further complicates the pathology of PCT. Different chromosomal variations, including mutations in the HFE gene, may affect iron absorption and metabolism, increasing a patient's susceptibility to disease.
It is not easy to diagnose cutaneous porphyria. Professional laboratory tests show high concentrations of uroporphyrin in the urine, which is an important basis for diagnosis. Additionally, identifying comorbidities such as hepatitis C and hemochromatosis is an important part of the treatment process.
The key to treating porphyria cutis is to avoid alcohol, iron supplements, and excessive sunlight exposure.
Although current medicine is able to manage and treat this disease to a certain extent, the nature of a chronic disease means that patients often require long-term attention and care. Treatment includes measures such as phlebotomy and antimalarial drugs to reduce the excess urinary porphyrin accumulation in the body.
However, in addition to these physical challenges, PCT patients also face psychological adjustments, and experiencing long-term illness and inconveniences can have a lasting impact on their quality of life. This raises an important question: How do patients find a balance to return to normal life in the face of these challenges?
