There is no cure for this disorder; however, symptoms can usually be managed by limiting exposure to daytime sun and some types of artificial lighting. Most types of artificial lighting emit light in the problematic wavelengths, with fluorescent lighting being the worst offender. Color temperature can be a good indicator of what light is most detrimental, as the higher the color temperature, the more violet light (380–450 nm) is emitted. Incandescent and LED lighting in the soft white range (2700–3000 K) produce the least problematic light. Additionally, selecting lower wattage bulbs can reduce the overall output of light. Since the photosensitivity results from light in the visible spectrum, most sunscreens are of little use (with the exception of non-nano zinc oxide which provides uniform protection between 290–400 nm and some protection up to 700 nm). Sun protective clothing can also be very helpful, although clothing with UPF values are only rated based on their UV protection (up to 400 nm) and not on their protection from the visible spectrum. Some sun protective clothing manufacturers use zinc oxide in their fabrics, such as Coolibar's ZnO Suntect line, which will offer protection from visible light. Some patients gradually build a protective layer of melanin by regularly exposing themselves for short times to ultraviolet radiation. Window films which block UV and visible light up to 450 nm can provide relief from symptoms if applied to the patient's automobile and home windows. An example of such would be Madico Amber 81 which can protect through the 500 nm range. Blue blocking screen protectors can help provide relief from symptoms caused by televisions, phones, tablets and computer screens.<unk>  is considered one of the least severe of the porphyrias. Unless there is liver failure, it is not a life-threatening disease. Approved therapies Afamelanotide, developed by Australian-based Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, was approved in Europe in December 2014 for treatment or prevention of phototoxicity in adults with<unk> . Off-label therapies Several drugs are used off label by patients with<unk> : * Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid that is administered to promote biliary secretion of<unk> . Results of its use in<unk>  are controversial. However, it is known to alter the composition of bile, to protect hepatocytes from the cytotoxic effect of hydrophobic bile acids, and to stimulate biliary secretion by several distinct mechanisms. * Hematin appears to reduce excess<unk>  production in the bone marrow. It has been administered to patients with<unk>  (3–4 mg/kg iv) who develop a crisis after liver transplantation. * Plasmapheresis can also decrease the levels of<unk>  in plasma, however its use in treating acute episodes is controversial. * Cholestyramine is an orally administered resin which reduces circulating levels of<unk>  by binding to<unk>  in the intestine and, hence, interrupting the enterohepatic circulation. It is usually used in combination with other treatment approaches. * Activated carbon, like cholestyramine, binds to<unk>  in the intestine and prevents its absorption. It is cheap and readily available. It seems to be effective in reducing circulating<unk>  levels. Bone marrow transplantation, liver transplantation, acetylcysteine, extracorporeal albumin dialysis, parenteral iron and transfusion of erythrocytes are alternative plans for treatment of EEP. Over-the-counter drug Some over-the-counter drugs may help: * Proferrin is an oral heme supplement which may work similarly to Hematin. * B. subtilis (a gram-positive soil probiotic) produces ferrochelatase, which may be able to convert some of the<unk>  in the intestine into heme. * Beta carotene, though a recent meta analysis of carotene treatment has called its effectiveness into question.
Erythropoietic protoporphyria
Xeroderma pigmentosum
Pseudoporphyria
Harderoporphyria
Thalassemia
Scurvy
Hemoglobinemia
Megavitamin-B6 syndrome