Prolonged exposure to the sun and even to powerful surgical lights. The genetic condition affects a component of blood cells that can lead to toxic compounds called protoporphyrin being released. These compounds can make the patient extremely sensitive to sunlight. The disease is manifesting with a painful burning sensation for the patient because “chemical reactions produce damage in the skin as well as other organs. Knowing her condition is the only good thing for Savannah because a real treatment does not yet exist. She must protect all the time against sun and has to learn a way to deal with this constraint. However the girl was able to participate in indoors acivities like gymnastics and even likes swiming if the sun goes down to jump in the water.
