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Anyone ever heard of this disease of the blood. It has been said to give the actuall appearence of a vampire with pale skin and a red rash around the mouth. What is your take on that?

I've heard of it.... it actually makes your gums receed to make teeth appear like fangs.. I think a famous king had it....

I have heard something very vague about it when I was younger, I will have a search and see what I can find. Anybody have anything more informative to say than my generic entry ;-) ?

ElderDaniel also wrote an excellent article for Acrimony magazine, encompassing many aspects, questions, myths and legends regarding vampirism.

See it here

Thanks requiem, looks like this should prove interesting reading when I have finished the abyss of philosophy coursework which stands before me x x

it's an exceedingly rare disease that is likely one cause of some vampire myths
do not know much about it....but I have met someone who suffers from it...interesting girl...psychotic....but interesting

PPL WITH XERODERMA PIGMENTOSUM WAS BELIVE TO BE VAMP BECAUSE THE LIGHT OR UVS FROM THE SUN CAUSED THERE SKIN TO BLISTER AND BURN I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOME THING LIKE THAT BUT IT WAS A CAUSE OF SOME VAMP MYTHS TO

Redeemer, it is amazing that you bring this up.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum

There are also much milder variants in the form of photophobia (eyes are sensitive or intolerant to brighter lights, especially sunlight) and photosensitivity of the skin.

I get severe migraines if I do not wear sunglasses when outside during the day, unless it is very cloudy, and my skin will burn and blister with a quickness if I do not take pains to protect it (i.e. slathering high SPF sunscreen and wearing long sleeves, hat, etc.). It's been getting more intense as I've aged (started around puberty).

I can't imagine having to live with actual xeroderma pigmentosum, however. Scary thing.

Simptoms of porphyria:

Abdominal pain
Abdominal tenderness
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Carbohydrate craving
Breast secretions
Diarrhea
Partial ileus [Intestinal blockage]
Abdominal distention
Dysuria [Painful Urination]
Bladder Dysfunction
Urinary Retention
Amenorrhea [Lack of menses]
Red or dark urine
Tachycardia [Pulse] >100
Labile hypertension >90 diastolic {blood pressure]
Fever [Pyrexia]
Profused sweating
Edema [Retention of fluids] [Swelling]
Postural Hypotension [Low Blood Pressure]
Hypertrichosis [excessive body hair growth]
Hyperpigmentation [skin coloringPeripheral neuropathy
Muscle weakness
Paresis . paralysis
Sensory disorde
Respiratory paralysis
Foot drop
Wrist drop
Abnormal Gait
Pain: Arms, legs, hips and/or lower back
Loss of sensation
Dyesthesia
Numbness
Tingling
Burning Sensation
Bulbareparesis
Tongue paralization
Mouth paralization
Throat paralization
Behavorial change
Anxiety
Irritability
Delirium
Depression
Confusion
Hallucination
Insomnia
ANS [altered neurological state]
Restlessness
Sensory loss
Seizure
Depressed or absent tendon reflexes
Cranial nerve involvement
Hyponatremia [Below normal sodium level] Increased Bun [Urea Nitrogen]
Increased AST [Aspartate Aminotransferase]
Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase [Liver panel test]
Increased ALT [Aspartate Aminotransferase]
Hypokalemia [Below normal potassium level]
Leukocytosis [Abnormal increase in WBC] > 10,000
Increased ESR >22
Hypochloremia Anemia [Iron deficiency]
Skin photosensitivity
Blistering
Severe Tissue Scarring
Increased Hair growth
Pigmentation Darkening
Thickening of skin
Severe Itching

Ofcourse they do not show all at once and may not all show...There is more

PORPHYRIA PAIN SCALE
Levels of Pain
0 Pain Free
1 Very minor annoyance - occasional minor twinges.
No medication needed.
2 Minor Annoyance - occasional strong twinges.
No medication needed.
3 Annoying enough to be distracting.
Mild painkillers take care of it. (Aspirin, Ibuprofen.)
4 Can be ignored if you are really involved in your work, but still
distracting. Mild painkillers remove pain for 3-4 hours.
5 Can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes.
Mild painkillers ameliorate pain for 3-4 hours.
6 Can't be ignored for any length of time,
You can still go to work and participate in social activities.
Stronger painkillers (Codeine, narcotics) reduce pain for 3-4 hours.
7 Makes it difficult to concentrate.
Interferes with sleep
You can still function with effort.
Stronger painkillers are only partially effective.
8 Physical activity severely limited.
You can read and converse with effort.
Nausea and dizziness set in as factors of pain.
9 Unable to speak.
Crying out or moaning uncontrollably - near delirium.
10 Pain makes you pass out.
Unconscious.

and now i range on the pain scale from 1-8...

:S *hides in bed under the covers* :S

Heard of porphyria nasty!

i'm still kinda scared after reading through those symptoms... kinda? sorry i lied. RATHER!!!

there are other diseases that made people believe that some people in 18th century Europe say that people are Vampires but I cannot remember the name of them and they are still around today
but very rare

I can't remember where, i heard there was a mental disorder where you literally thought your blood was leaving you, so you could drink others to replace your own... where did i hear it? my memory sucks sorry