Because porphyrias are genetic, disease cannot be prevented. However, appropriate behavior can reduce the risk of an attack or episode.
Primary porphyrias
An attack/flash in the setting of acute porphyrias can be triggered by the following factors:
Behavioral triggers
- Diet
- Carbohydrate deficiency due to (crash) diets
- Hunger states – attention must be paid to regular eating
- Pleasure food
- Alcohol
- Psycho-social situation
- Stress
Disease-related triggers
- Infections
Operations
Medications – porphyria centers of excellence provide information on the compatibility or suitability of medications.
- Anticonvulsants (anti-epileptic drugs) – Hydantoins.
- Barbiturates (group of drugs with sedative/calming, hypnotic/sedative, and narcotic/numbing effects).
- Hormones (“pill”, progesterone and others).
- Sulfonamide antibiotics
- Agents that induce the enzymes of cytochrome P-450.
- and many more.
Environmental pollution – intoxications (poisonings).
- Organic solvents, such as those found in painting companies and dry cleaning.
An attack/flash in cutaneous porphyrias can be triggered by the following factors:
Behavioral triggers
- Stimulants
- Alcohol
- (Sun) light exposure – applying suntan lotion is of no use, as the damaging wavelengths are in the visible range of light and sunscreen only has a protective effect in the UV range; textiles with UV protection factor and protective films also do not help
Medication
Secondary porphyrias
Coproporphyrias
Behavioral causes
- Nutrition
- Hunger states – attention must be paid to regular eating
Causes related to disease
- Bilirubin transport disorders
- Hemochromatosis (iron storage disease).
- Infections
- Liver diseases
- Leukemias
Environmental pollution – intoxications
- Toxic chemicals (hepatotoxic/liver damaging).
Protoporphyrinemias
Behavioral causes
- Stimulants
- Alcohol (liver damaging)
Causes related to disease
- Hemolytic anemias
Environmental pollution – intoxications
- Lead poisoning
