Experimental Production of Skin Lesions in Human Cutaneous Porphyria.

Abstract

Light of the porphyrin Soret wave band, ca. 4050Å, of intensity comparable to natural energy levels, failed to produce skin lesions in several cases of cutaneous porphyria. Simultaneous, or subsequent infra red irradiation (26000Å) was followed by erythematous, often vesiculobullous lesions. Preliminary application of the same amount of heat of the same wave band followed by the 4050Å light was ineffective. The unexposed skin of the abdomen regularly contained more porphyrin than that of previously light exposed skin of the hands. Lesions were more readily produced by exposure of the abdominal skin to 4050Å and 26000Å wave length energy.