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Scurvy

Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Vitamin C deficiency; Deficiency - vitamin C; Scorbutus

Gallery

Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage
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
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
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.

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.

Last reviewed July 8, 2023 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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