Because pictures of porphyria are too traumatizing to show, we'll look at a kitten crying for a cure instead. Porphyria is a rare inherited or acquired blood disease that presents symptoms that are significantly similar to traits of vampires in folklore. There are two types of the disease, acute and cutaneous, with multiple subtypes. The disease is caused by an inability to produce haem, a component of haemoglobin which creates the red colouring in blood. Symptoms of this disease include sensitivity to sunlight, tightening of the skin around the mouth and face causing pronounced and noticeable canine teeth, necrosis of the skin and gums, hair growth on the forehead and various changes in the colour of urine after exposure to sunlight. However, that is only for the cutaneous version of the disease. If one suffers from acute porphyria they suffer vomiting, nausea, mental disturbances and the possibility of seizures. Cutaneous porphyria has been suggested as an inspiration for the vampire legend. Vampires in folklore are often described as being sensitive to sunlight, having enlarged incisors, suffering from necrosis and having pale skin. Well, if it was painful every time you stepped outside, youd have pale skin too. Additionally, garlic contains a chemical compound that exacerbates conditions of the disease, even further adding to the relation between vampirism and porphyria. Of course, nowadays we know it is not caused by some blood drinking night-stalker, just like we know the world is not flat. Treatment for porphyria includes injectable haem, eliminating triggers that cause pain, deliveries of dextrose, cold baths and wet towels and topical and/or oral corticosteroids. It is an unkind disease that causes individuals tremendous suffering, both physically and emotionally.
