Tag: Casal s necklace

First described in the 18th century, Casal's necklace, or Casal's collar, is a distinctive red and hyperpigmented rash around the neck, serving as a tell-tale sign of pellagra, a severe nutritional disorder. Historically, it was named after the Spanish physician Don Gaspar Casal, who first identified the syndrome among the poor population in Spain in 1735.

Historically known as the 'disease of the four Ds,' pellagra is a nutritional disorder with characteristic symptoms including dermatitis, one of which is known as Casal's necklace. This distinctive, hyperpigmented rash is a direct result of a specific micronutrient deficiency that affects high-turnover cells in the skin, gut, and brain.

Pellagra is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3), often referred to as the '4 Ds' (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death). The characteristic symptoms of pellagra in niacin patients primarily impact the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system, requiring prompt recognition for effective treatment.

Historically, pellagra was a major cause of death in areas with limited food diversity. This severe niacin deficiency manifests in a variety of systemic symptoms. Understanding **what were the clinical manifestations of a bad case of pellagra?** is crucial for recognizing and treating this potentially fatal condition.

Pellagra, a severe nutritional disease, was responsible for over 100,000 deaths in the American South between 1906 and 1940. This profound vitamin B3 deficiency is notoriously characterized by the clinical symptoms known as the '4 D's associated with pellagra'.