Types of Porphyria – American Porphyria Foundation

Most commonly the porphyrias are divided into the “acute“ and “cutaneous” porphyrias, depending on the primary symptoms. The acute porphyrias: Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP), Hereditary Coproporphyria (HCP), Variegate Porphyria (VP), and ALA-dehydratase deficiency porphyria (ADP), present with sudden attacks of severe stomach pain that last for several days; VP and HCP may also have skin symptoms of blistering after sun exposure. The cutaneous porphyrias  [Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT), Hepatoerythropoietic Porphyria (HEP), Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria (CEP), Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP), and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP), present with blistering and scarring of the skin, pain, and/or redness and swelling in sun-exposed areas.  Each type is listed here in order of prevalence. CLICK ON EACH TYPE TO LEARN MORE!