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Scurvy
     
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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, and skin hemorrhages.

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

 

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.

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  • Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

    Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

    illustration

  • Scurvy - corkscrew hair

    Scurvy - corkscrew hair

    illustration

  • Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

    Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

    illustration

    • Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

      Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage

      illustration

    • Scurvy - corkscrew hair

      Scurvy - corkscrew hair

      illustration

    • Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

      Scurvy - corkscrew hairs

      illustration

     

    Review Date: 7/19/2021

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

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