Real-life 'vampire': Rare disorder makes garlic life-threatening for US woman

A US woman revealed her struggle with vampire disease, a condition called porphyria, which makes her highly allergic to garlic.

In Short

• A US woman is diagnosed with a condition called vampire disease
• It causes a person to become extremely allergic to garlic
• Eating garlic, even in small amounts, can trigger violent attacks of vomiting and pain

A woman revealed that consuming garlic, which contains sulphur, can be life-threatening for her because she suffers from 'vampire disease.'

WHAT IS VAMPIRE DISEASE?

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), commonly known as vampire disease, is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that causes severe pain and other debilitating symptoms when triggered.

Phoenix Nightingale, a 32-year-old woman from Minnesota, US, is living with this condition, known as vampire disease because of its peculiar similarities to vampire myths.

AIP is caused by a build-up of porphyrins, chemicals that the body needs to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

The disorder affects the nervous system, leading to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, migraines, and constipation.

SYMPTOMS OF VAMPIRE DISEASE

Nightingale experiences attacks that can last up to two days, involving intense vomiting, loss of consciousness, and unbearable pain, according to a report by the New York Post.

The connection to vampire myths stems from historical cases where people with AIP experienced symptoms that mirrored those of folklore vampires.

These include pale skin, sensitivity to sunlight, and avoidance of garlic due to sulfur allergies, much like the mythical creatures' aversion to the plant, according to an article in The Conversation by Michael Hefferon, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Ontario.

For Nightingale, the disorder makes dining out a challenge. She has to avoid a range of foods, including garlic, red grapes, soy, alcohol, and coffee.

Eating garlic, even in small amounts, can trigger violent attacks of vomiting and pain, making it essential for her to maintain a highly restricted diet.

TREATMENT FOR VAMPIRE DISEASE

While there is no cure for acute intermittent porphyria, treatment typically involves managing symptoms and avoiding known triggers.

The US woman has had over 480 attacks throughout her life and, after decades of suffering, she was finally diagnosed in 2023.