Scurvy: What Skin Disease Is Caused by Vitamin C Deficiency?

October 25, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2017–2018 survey, approximately 5.9% of the U.S. population has a vitamin C deficiency, though only a severe deficiency leads to the disease known as scurvy. Scurvy is the specific skin disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, affecting the body's ability to produce collagen, which is critical for skin health.

Quick Summary

Scurvy is the condition caused by a severe lack of vitamin C, leading to systemic issues and notable skin symptoms. Symptoms include easy bruising, perifollicular hemorrhages, rough skin, and impaired wound healing, all resulting from compromised collagen synthesis.

Key Points

Scurvy is the specific skin disease caused by vitamin C deficiency: This nutritional disorder directly impairs collagen production, which is essential for healthy skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
Skin symptoms include easy bruising and tiny red spots: Weakened blood vessel walls from poor collagen synthesis lead to easy bruising (ecchymosis) and pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles (perifollicular hemorrhages).
Corkscrew hairs are a characteristic sign: Hair becomes dry, brittle, and coiled, often breaking easily. This distinct symptom is pathognomonic for advanced scurvy.
Poor wound healing is a major dermatological issue: Without adequate vitamin C, the body cannot effectively repair tissue, causing old wounds to re-open and new ones to heal slowly or not at all.
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, history, and blood tests: A healthcare provider will evaluate skin manifestations, review dietary habits, and may confirm the diagnosis with a blood test measuring vitamin C levels.
Treatment is simple and effective: Replenishing vitamin C through supplements and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can resolve symptoms, often with noticeable improvement within days.

The Core Problem: Vitamin C and Collagen

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that humans cannot produce internally and must obtain through their diet. One of its most critical functions is acting as a necessary cofactor for the enzymes involved in synthesizing collagen, a vital structural protein. Collagen is fundamental for the health and integrity of various bodily tissues, including bones, cartilage, blood vessel walls, and most importantly for this topic, the skin. When the body's collagen production is compromised due to a severe vitamin C deficiency, the connective tissues weaken, leading to the various symptoms of scurvy.

Dermatological Symptoms of Scurvy

A severe lack of vitamin C significantly impacts the skin, with several key dermatological signs appearing after a few months of deficiency. These are caused by the breakdown of connective tissue, which can be visualized as the body's structural scaffolding.

Perifollicular hemorrhages: This appears as tiny, red or blue spots of bleeding around hair follicles, most common on the legs and feet.
Corkscrew hairs: Hair follicles become twisted, coiled, and brittle.
Rough, scaly skin: Follicular hyperkeratosis leads to thickening and scaling of skin around hair follicles.
Easy bruising (Ecchymosis): Bruising occurs easily due to fragile blood vessels from weakened collagen.
Poor wound healing: Old wounds may re-open and new ones fail to heal properly because collagen is essential for repair.

Other Systemic Manifestations

Scurvy extends beyond skin issues, impacting other systems due to its effect on connective tissue. Early non-specific signs include fatigue, weakness, irritability, and muscle or joint pain. As scurvy advances, other problems can arise:

Gingivitis: Swollen, spongy, purple, and bleeding gums are common in advanced scurvy.
Anemia: Scurvy can contribute to anemia, partly because vitamin C aids iron absorption.
Joint pain and swelling: Bleeding into joints and muscles can cause discomfort.
Anxiety and depression: Mood changes have been linked to scurvy.

Comparison: Scurvy vs. Other Skin Conditions

Distinguishing scurvy from other skin conditions is important. Diagnosis typically relies on clinical symptoms, dietary history, and confirming low vitamin C levels via a blood test.


Feature	Scurvy	Vasculitis	Malignant Melanoma	Atopic Dermatitis
Primary Cause	Severe vitamin C deficiency leading to impaired collagen synthesis.	Inflammation of blood vessels, often autoimmune.	Uncontrolled growth of melanocytes, often linked to UV exposure.	Functional damage to the skin barrier, associated with allergens.
Main Symptoms	Perifollicular petechiae, corkscrew hairs, easy bruising, poor wound healing, gingivitis.	Varied lesions depending on affected vessel size; can present as palpable purpura.	Blue-black or brown papules and nodules with possible ulcers.	Erythematous papules with itching and scaling; chronic inflammation.
Diagnostic Method	Clinical signs and dietary history; confirmed by blood test showing low vitamin C levels.	Skin biopsy showing inflammation of blood vessel walls; blood tests for specific markers.	Skin biopsy confirming cancer cells; physical exam.	Clinical evaluation based on symptoms; tests for nutrient deficiencies and allergies.
Treatment	Vitamin C supplements and diet rich in fruits and vegetables.	Varies, can include steroids and other immunosuppressants.	Surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy.	Topical creams, phototherapy, dietary changes, and antihistamines.

Prevention and Treatment

Treating Scurvy

Treating scurvy involves vitamin C supplementation and increasing dietary intake of the nutrient. Healthcare providers may recommend high-dose oral supplements for severe cases. Bleeding symptoms can improve within days, with other issues taking longer to resolve.

Preventing Scurvy with Vitamin C-Rich Foods

A balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables prevents scurvy. Consistent daily intake is important as the body doesn't store vitamin C long-term.

Fruits: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, cantaloupe, and papaya are excellent sources.
Vegetables: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet peppers, spinach, cabbage, and tomatoes are good sources.

Who is at Risk?

Certain groups have a higher risk of scurvy:

Individuals with restrictive diets.
Those with chronic alcoholism or drug dependency.
Older adults with poor dietary habits.
Infants fed unsupplemented evaporated or boiled milk.
People with malabsorption conditions.

Conclusion

Scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, can have significant systemic effects, including distinct skin manifestations like perifollicular hemorrhages, easy bruising, and corkscrew hairs. These symptoms result from compromised collagen production. Treatment is effective and involves vitamin C supplementation and dietary adjustments. Preventing scurvy is achievable through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining both skin and overall health.

For authoritative information on vitamin C deficiency and its effects, consider reviewing information from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary disease caused by a severe lack of vitamin C is called scurvy. It results from a deficiency of ascorbic acid, which is vital for the body's production of collagen.

Skin symptoms of scurvy typically start to develop after a few months of inadequate vitamin C intake. Early signs like fatigue and weakness can appear sooner, within 8 to 12 weeks.

Yes, the skin symptoms of scurvy are usually reversible with treatment. With proper vitamin C supplementation, improvements can be seen within days, though some changes like corkscrew hairs may take longer to resolve.

Key skin changes include perifollicular hemorrhages (pinpoint red spots around hair follicles), corkscrew-shaped hair, easy bruising, rough or scaly skin, and poor wound healing.

The skin hemorrhages are caused by weakened blood vessel walls. Vitamin C is required for producing collagen, which provides structure and strength to these vessels. Without it, capillaries become fragile and prone to bleeding.

No, topical vitamin C cannot treat scurvy. While topical application offers cosmetic benefits for skin health, scurvy is a systemic disease caused by a dietary deficiency. Treatment requires oral or intravenous vitamin C to replenish the body's overall stores.

A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to prevent scurvy. Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, berries, peppers, broccoli, spinach, and potatoes.