Scurvy: What disease is caused by a lack of vitamin C?

January 7, 2026 •

3 min read

An estimated two million sailors tragically lost their lives to scurvy during the Age of Exploration, a prime example of the severe health consequences when a population suffers from a chronic dietary lack of vitamin C. While largely a historical footnote in developed nations, scurvy remains a relevant, preventable nutritional disorder today.

Quick Summary

Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, joint pain, bleeding gums, and easy bruising. It is essential for collagen synthesis and is primarily prevented by a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Key Points

Scurvy is the disease caused by a lack of vitamin C: It results from a severe, prolonged deficiency of ascorbic acid.
Collagen synthesis is impaired: Lack of vitamin C prevents the body from making strong collagen, affecting skin, gums, bones, and blood vessels.
Symptoms range from fatigue to bleeding gums: Early signs include weakness, progressing to joint pain, easy bruising, and swollen, bleeding gums.
Poor diet is the main cause: The primary risk factor is insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables over several months.
High-risk groups exist: Vulnerable populations include the elderly, alcoholics, and individuals with restrictive diets or malabsorption.
Treatment is simple and fast: Scurvy is treatable with vitamin C supplements, leading to rapid symptom resolution.
Prevention is easy with proper diet: Eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C is the best way to prevent scurvy.

What is Scurvy?

Scurvy is a disease resulting from a chronic and severe deficiency of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. The human body cannot produce its own vitamin C and therefore relies entirely on dietary intake. Symptoms typically manifest after approximately one to three months of very low or zero vitamin C intake. The condition primarily impacts the body's connective tissues because vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis. Insufficient collagen leads to the varied symptoms associated with the disease.

The Critical Role of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant necessary for several enzymatic reactions. Its key function related to scurvy is in producing collagen, a main structural protein in skin, blood vessels, cartilage, and bone. Without sufficient vitamin C, the body cannot form stable collagen, making tissues fragile and causing many characteristic signs of scurvy. Vitamin C also aids in iron absorption, and deficiency can contribute to anemia.

Symptoms of Scurvy

The symptoms of scurvy progress through stages.

Early Symptoms

Fatigue and Weakness: Common early signs linked to impaired carnitine and neurotransmitter synthesis.
Irritability and Depression: Mood changes can occur early.
Joint and Muscle Aches: Pain in limbs may be caused by bleeding into tissues.

Advanced Symptoms

Bleeding Gums: Swollen, spongy, bleeding gums are a hallmark sign, often with loosened teeth.
Skin Changes: Skin can become rough and dry. Pinpoint hemorrhages (petechiae) may appear around hair follicles, especially on legs.
Corkscrew Hairs: Body hair may coil or bend.
Poor Wound Healing: Wounds heal slowly or reopen due to lack of collagen.
Bruising: Easy and widespread bruising is common from fragile capillaries.
Anemia: Impaired iron absorption and internal bleeding can cause iron-deficiency anemia.

Who is at Risk?

While scurvy is rare in many developed countries, certain groups are more susceptible:

Poor Dietary Habits: The main cause, including very restrictive diets, eating disorders, or food insecurity.
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: Often leads to poor nutrition.
Elderly Individuals: May have diets low in fruits and vegetables.
Infants: Those fed unfortified formulas (modern formulas are fortified).
Individuals with Malabsorptive Conditions: Such as Crohn's or post-bariatric surgery.
Smokers: Smoking reduces vitamin C absorption and increases its use by the body.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Scurvy is typically diagnosed based on symptoms and dietary history. Improvement after vitamin C treatment can help confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests can measure vitamin C, but may not reflect tissue levels accurately.

Treatment is effective and involves:

Vitamin C Supplements: High doses (e.g., 300-1000 mg/day for adults) to quickly restore levels.
Dietary Changes: Increasing intake of fresh fruits and vegetables for long-term prevention.

Symptoms often improve within 24-48 hours, though some issues like gum problems may take longer to heal.

Comparison of Vitamin C Deficiency Levels

It's helpful to distinguish between mild deficiency and severe scurvy.


Symptom	Mild Deficiency	Severe Scurvy
Fatigue & Weakness	Mild tiredness.	Severe weakness and irritability.
Gums	Minor inflammation.	Swollen, bleeding gums; loose teeth.
Skin	Some roughness.	Perifollicular hemorrhages, corkscrew hairs, widespread bruising.
Musculoskeletal	Vague aches.	Severe joint/bone pain.
Wound Healing	Slower healing.	Poor healing, wounds reopening.

Prevention is Key

Scurvy is preventable with a nutritious diet. Good sources of vitamin C include:

Citrus fruits
Strawberries and berries
Bell peppers
Broccoli and Brussels sprouts
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Kiwifruit

Eating raw fruits and vegetables is beneficial as vitamin C is heat-sensitive. The recommended daily intake for most adults is 75-90 mg, with smokers needing an extra 35 mg. High-risk individuals may need daily supplements.

Conclusion

Scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, has a long history but remains relevant today. It results from insufficient collagen, causing various symptoms like fatigue, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing. Scurvy is easily diagnosed and treated with vitamin C, leading to rapid symptom improvement. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is the best prevention. Healthcare providers should be aware of scurvy, especially in at-risk groups like the elderly or those with poor diets. For more information, consult the Cleveland Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The disease caused by a severe and prolonged lack of vitamin C is called scurvy. It is a nutritional disorder that affects the body's ability to produce collagen, a vital protein for connective tissues.

The first symptoms of scurvy can be non-specific, including general fatigue, weakness, irritability, and vague muscle and joint aches. These can appear after about one to three months of vitamin C deficiency.

Yes, scurvy is easily curable with vitamin C supplementation. With proper treatment, symptoms can begin to resolve within 24 to 48 hours, although more severe issues like gum disease may take longer to heal.

Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, kiwifruit, and tomatoes. Consuming a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables daily is key for prevention.

While rare, scurvy does still occur in developed countries, particularly among certain high-risk groups. These include individuals with poor dietary habits due to alcoholism, eating disorders, poverty, or chronic diseases that affect nutrient absorption.

If left untreated, scurvy can lead to more serious health problems, including severe anemia, jaundice, hemolysis, neuropathy, and potentially death from infection or bleeding. However, it is almost always treatable when diagnosed.

Smokers require more vitamin C because tobacco use reduces the amount of the vitamin absorbed by the body and increases its metabolic rate. Health professionals recommend that smokers consume an additional 35 mg of vitamin C per day.