Scurvy
Vitamin C deficiency; Deficiency - vitamin C; ScorbutusScurvy 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.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...
Skin hemorrhages
Purpura is purple-colored spots and patches that occur on the skin, and in mucus membranes, including the lining of the mouth.
Scurvy is rare in the United States. Older adults who are not getting proper nutrition are most affected by scurvy.
References
James WD. Nutritional diseases. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 17.
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.
Mason JB, Booth SL. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 199.
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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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: 7/3/2025
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, 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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