Scurvy: What Disease Is Caused by the Lack of Vitamin C?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Historically, severe vitamin C deficiency plagued sailors on long sea voyages, causing a devastating illness. The condition that results from a significant and prolonged lack of vitamin C is called scurvy. While rare in developed countries today, understanding this nutritional disease is crucial for identifying risk factors and ensuring adequate intake of this essential vitamin.

Quick Summary

Scurvy is a disease resulting from a severe lack of vitamin C, leading to symptoms like fatigue, gum disease, and bleeding under the skin. It is caused by inadequate dietary intake, though it is treatable and preventable with proper nutrition and supplementation.

Key Points

Scurvy is the disease: Scurvy is the specific, named condition resulting from a severe and prolonged lack of vitamin C.
Impact on Collagen: The deficiency impairs the body's ability to produce collagen, weakening connective tissues, skin, and blood vessels.
Key Symptoms: Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, bleeding gums, easy bruising, and poor wound healing.
At-Risk Groups: Individuals with poor diets, alcohol or drug dependency, or certain chronic illnesses are most vulnerable.
Treatment is Simple: Scurvy is easily and effectively treated with vitamin C supplements and improved dietary habits.
Prevention is Key: Eating a variety of vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, berries, and vegetables is the best way to prevent scurvy.

Scurvy is the specific disease caused by a severe, prolonged deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). While most people in developed nations consume enough vitamin C to prevent this condition, it remains a serious health concern for certain at-risk populations. A balanced, nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables is the primary defense against this potentially life-threatening disease.

The Role of Vitamin C in the Body

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin that the human body cannot produce on its own. This vital nutrient is involved in several crucial bodily functions. Its most notable role is in the production of collagen, a protein that is the main component of connective tissues like skin, bones, and blood vessels. Without sufficient vitamin C, the body cannot properly synthesize collagen, leading to the breakdown of these tissues.

Beyond collagen synthesis, vitamin C also functions as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. It is also essential for the proper absorption of non-heme iron, the type of iron found in plant-based foods. Other functions include supporting the immune system and producing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine.

Symptoms and Progression of Scurvy

Symptoms of scurvy can be vague at first, often appearing after one to three months of very low vitamin C intake. Early signs may include fatigue, weakness, and joint or muscle pain. As the deficiency continues, more severe and distinctive symptoms develop:

Skin Changes: Perifollicular hemorrhages—small red or blue spots that appear around hair follicles, particularly on the lower legs and feet—are a classic sign. The hair can also become dry, brittle, and coiled, resembling a corkscrew. Easy bruising and poor wound healing are also common due to fragile blood vessels.
Gum Disease: The gums can become swollen, spongy, and purplish-red in color. Left untreated, this can lead to gingivitis, tooth loosening, and even tooth loss.
Musculoskeletal Issues: Severe joint and limb pain can occur, sometimes leading to an inability to walk. In children, bone growth can be impaired.
Anemia: Low iron absorption and increased blood loss can lead to anemia.
Psychological Changes: Some individuals may experience irritability, lethargy, and depression.

If scurvy is left untreated, it can lead to more serious complications, including jaundice, neuropathy, severe bleeding, and even death from infection or hemorrhage.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Several factors can increase a person's risk of developing scurvy, including:

Poor Dietary Habits: The primary cause is an insufficient intake of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables over an extended period.
Alcohol or Drug Dependency: These can lead to severe malnutrition and neglect of a proper diet.
Eating Disorders: Conditions like anorexia can cause inadequate food intake.
Chronic Diseases: Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, or those on dialysis may be at higher risk due to malabsorption or increased requirements.
Smoking: Smoking depletes the body's vitamin C stores, requiring a higher daily intake.

Treatment and Recovery

Fortunately, scurvy is highly treatable with vitamin C replacement. Treatment typically involves high doses of vitamin C supplements, either orally or intravenously, followed by the adoption of a diet rich in vitamin C.

Rapid Improvement: Many early symptoms, such as fatigue and pain, begin to improve dramatically within 24 to 48 hours of starting treatment.
Long-Term Recovery: Other symptoms, like gum and skin issues, can take several weeks or months to fully resolve as the body repairs the damaged connective tissue.
Dietary Changes: The cornerstone of preventing recurrence is maintaining a regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Comparison of Scurvy Symptoms: Early vs. Late Stage


Symptom	Early Stage	Late Stage
Energy Level	Fatigue and lethargy are common	Profound weakness and exhaustion
Mood	Irritability and depression	Severe psychological changes
Skin	Easy bruising, perifollicular hemorrhages	Poor wound healing, extensive bruising, corkscrew hairs
Gums and Teeth	Mildly swollen and tender gums	Severe gingivitis, bleeding gums, tooth loosening, and loss
Muscles and Joints	Vague muscle and joint pain	Excruciating joint swelling and pain
Anemia	May develop over time	Significantly increased bleeding can worsen anemia

Conclusion

Scurvy is the disease caused by the lack of vitamin C, and its effects stem from the body's inability to produce collagen, which is essential for connective tissue health. While modern understanding and food availability have made it a rare disease in many parts of the world, it is a reminder of the critical importance of a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Recognizing the symptoms and addressing the deficiency promptly through dietary changes or supplementation can lead to a full recovery and prevent severe, life-threatening complications. Prevention through a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition remains the most effective strategy.

Scurvy: Rediscovering a Forgotten Disease, NCBI Bookshelf

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary cause of scurvy is a prolonged and severe lack of vitamin C in the diet, which prevents the body from properly synthesizing collagen.

Symptoms of scurvy can appear after one to three months of consistently low vitamin C intake. Early signs are often general, like fatigue and weakness, before more specific symptoms emerge.

Scurvy is rare in modern developed countries due to widespread food availability and fortification, but it can still occur in individuals with poor dietary habits, eating disorders, or certain health conditions.

Yes, scurvy can be easily cured with vitamin C supplementation and by increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables. Most symptoms resolve quickly with proper treatment.

Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and potatoes.

The most recognizable physical signs include swollen and bleeding gums, easy bruising, small red or blue spots on the skin (petechiae), and dry, coiled hair.

People with alcohol or drug dependency, the elderly on limited diets, individuals with eating disorders or malabsorption issues, and smokers are at a higher risk of developing scurvy.