66-Year-Old Woman With Painless Vesicular Lesions
June 2009
in “
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
”
TLDR A woman was diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda and improved with phlebotomy and lifestyle changes.
A 66-year-old woman with painless vesicular lesions, red-tinged urine, and excessive facial hair growth was diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) after elevated urinary porphyrins were found. Further tests revealed hereditary hemochromatosis and liver steatohepatitis. Treatment with phlebotomy improved her symptoms and liver enzyme levels. Long-term management included avoiding alcohol, estrogens, and iron supplements, and using topical sunscreens to prevent exacerbations.
