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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porphyria

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Prophyria is linked to one of the many myths and ledgends of vampirism and lycanthropy.It is a blood disorder causing severe sunburns and excessive hair growth.Check it out and give your opinions on the subject.

I've heard of this before, and I believe it to be fact; I've known a few people that feel they have this disorder, and I believe them

This disorder as well as many other conditions I feel do contribute to vampire ledgends. However given the range of vampire stories and the number of people who either claim to be, or have been affected by them, I think there is still a good many who may very well be an actual vampire; seperate from illnesses etc.

Let me say also that I do believe in both sang. and psy vampirism as an actual type of person.

Is an interesting theory, it does fit some of the attributes of the two, but there is so much in the lore of the two that does not equate with prophyria. I think there is alot more to it.

Interesting topic! It does seem that the disorder does have a lot in common with vampirism and lycanthropy. It's possible that some of the legends did come from this. It also seems there is also a lot more to it though, like carsho said.

Its only a disease

It is just a disease that is being blown all out of proportion.

It is nothing but a simple disease.

I don't feel this disease in and of itself is the culprit behind the main mythology of vampirism. I think that far more often, it was something contagious that would run through a family thus making it appear that something was attacking them or targeting them. A disease that induced fevers and hallucinations would add to that if the family members were seeing the recently deceased visit them and a disease that could lead to a ruddy looking corpse. I think Tuberculosis was at one point thought to be the perfect disease to meet these factors.

A medical test can confirm this condition.

I have read that some believe vampirism is in their dna....this has yet to be confirmed by any medical test.

As the artilce states...the disease is linked to ONE of many myths about vampirism and lycanthropy...not the main cause.Im sure when the disease was first discovered,alot of people had the notion the people became vampires or were attacked by one.

Sadly, these are afflictions a minute populus must live with. I do not believe they are runnin amuck eating livestock or their neighbors. There are people who have eyes so sensitive, they are only able to function in a UV light setting. Same goes for sensitive skin. It's due to lack of melanin. As a result, these people are prone to multitudes of skin diseases/discoloration/burning and the like.

Interesting.
One of the Royal Families of Englad was suffering from porphiria.

Wow amazing to think King George the third and Mary Queen of Scots and even Vincent Van Gogh may have suffered from porphyria.. Interesting illness.

Its just a weird and rare disease

It may be a weird and rare disease, but the idea of vampirism and werewolves have been borne from far more unintelligent and fictitious becomings. So who's to say that there isn't a logical scientific explanation to the idea of vampirism and werewolves?

Very interesting topic DWM! I personally haven't heard of it, but I suppose it can be attributed to the legends.

Thank you...old and odd elments always intrigue me.

I have heard of this before.. and I do believe that while it may not be the only reason for all the varied myths but I do think that they have helped keep some of them alive and more in circulation.

Over the years some of the myths have become more well known and others fade only to be recycled by popular culture.

I have read things and watched shows about this. I think it is very real.

Prophyria is one of the many explanations scientists and septics us for an answer. While the disease attributes to some attributes, it doesn't cover all aspects of the two. I think it is a very interesting topic, and am glad not to be afflicted with it!

It very easily could have contributed to the vampire legends. Makes sense.

This is nothing but a disease and nothing more

in ancient times i believe people were harmed because of having Prophyria. ignoranant people try to take the view off of their short comings and direct them to someone else...

Are you asking whether porphyria is fact or fiction, or whether or not the condition contributed to the vampire mythos is fact or fiction? It is fact on both counts.

There are 8 separate strains or varieties if you like of porphyria, not all of them have the symptoms of photosensitivity or hirsuteness or extreme anemia leading to cravings for blood. But it is those few cases that would have contributed to vampire legends and beliefs.

Is Prophyria a disease.. I think it is.
Is Prophyria a contributor.. it could be possibly. I do not think it is a basis of what became the myth.

Yes it is fact...some peopl who have this disorder will think that they are vampires when they really are not.

It's just a disease.

A great forum, like many diseases as this one, people who become confused and list this with the lyconthrope or vampirism myths. to me it is a disease that like many things never understood truly blame( well that may not be right word) on things closley related. I think this disease is true and it similarities to the night gene(lyconthrope, vampire) may be in fact the truth to the strain.

It is real. I some think it is where the myths of vampire came form

I feel that disorder is one of the contributing factors to the vampire legends of today.

There is some fact to the possibility that the disease is related in some forms to some vampire and lycanthrope legends. While many may groan, reading the first full description of Dracula from Bram Stoker's novel you will see a resemblence to some forms of the disease, the effect on teeth, ears and nose, the hair and the abhorrence of sunlight. These make it likely that it was at least involved in whatever myth Stoker drew his ideas from, or merely he knew a sufferer and used these as a way of making Dracula seem more a distortion.

But as for being a complete explanation, it goes nowhere near far enough. It is a disease, a horrid disease, but nothing more or less.

well is seems to be just an disorder or disease that just happens to resemble Vampiric traits. that does not mean it is that they are actually vampires because they have this disease / disorder.

It is just a disease, but back in the day they did not have the resource's that we have in today's day so of course many would think vampirism.

well i can see your point as to back in the days where they were not as educated on things.

I would have to say that I really don't think this could be linked to vampyrism..I do believe that back then with society not having the education as we do now a days that they might have thrown a feel fingers. If you know what I mean.