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Scurvy

Vitamin C deficiency; Deficiency - vitamin C; Scorbutus

Scurvy is a disease that occurs when you have a severe lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in your diet. Scurvy causes general weakness, anemia, gum disease, poor wound healing, and skin hemorrhages.

Scurvy is rare in the United States. Older adults who are not getting proper nutrition are most affected by scurvy.

Open References

References

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Nutritional diseases. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.

Hall JE Hall ME. Dietary balances; regulation of feeding; obesity and starvation; vitamins and minerals. In: Hall JE, Hall ME ed. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 72.

  • Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

    Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage - illustration

    Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Common symptoms include pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, along the gums, and under the nails, as seen in this photograph. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.

    Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

    illustration

  • Scurvy - corkscrew hair

    Scurvy - corkscrew hair - illustration

    Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, and corkscrew hairs as seen in this picture, can occur as a result of scurvy. Bleeding along the gums is common. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.

    Scurvy - corkscrew hair

    illustration

  • Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

    Scurvy - corkscrew hairs - illustration

    Corkscrew hairs in hyperkeratotic follicles are pathognomonic of scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency. Petechiae and subungual hemorrhage may also be seen.

    Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

    illustration

  • Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

    Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage - illustration

    Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Common symptoms include pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, along the gums, and under the nails, as seen in this photograph. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.

    Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

    illustration

  • Scurvy - corkscrew hair

    Scurvy - corkscrew hair - illustration

    Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, and corkscrew hairs as seen in this picture, can occur as a result of scurvy. Bleeding along the gums is common. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.

    Scurvy - corkscrew hair

    illustration

  • Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

    Scurvy - corkscrew hairs - illustration

    Corkscrew hairs in hyperkeratotic follicles are pathognomonic of scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency. Petechiae and subungual hemorrhage may also be seen.

    Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

    illustration

 

Review Date: 7/8/2023

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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