Tag: Dermatitis

Hives or urticaria, characterized by red, itchy welts, are common skin reactions reported by some people on a high protein diet and are often linked to a sudden shift in macronutrient balance. While not always a direct cause, excessive protein consumption can trigger or exacerbate various skin conditions through allergic reactions, inflammation, or metabolic stress.

According to the World Health Organization, pellagra remains endemic in certain regions where limited diets are common. This condition, the disease due to vitamin B3 deficiency, can cause severe and widespread symptoms if left untreated.

Pellagra, from the Italian for 'rough skin', is a nutritional disease that historically plagued populations with limited diets. It is defined as a systemic illness resulting from a severe deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3) or its precursor, tryptophan. While once epidemic, especially in the American South, the disease is now rare in developed countries but persists in regions with food insecurity.

First identified in the 18th century, the disease now known as pellagra was once endemic in parts of Europe and the American South. Pellagra is the name of the disease caused by vitamin B3 deficiency, which is also known as niacin deficiency. Left untreated, it can lead to severe and systemic health problems affecting the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system.

According to dermatologists, skin tone can vary dramatically across different parts of the body due to factors like genetics and blood flow. This means that for some, a pinkish or reddish hue on the thighs is perfectly normal and not a cause for alarm. However, there are many potential causes for this coloration, and understanding the difference between a natural variation and a medical issue is crucial for proper skin health.

Historically, pellagra was responsible for over 100,000 deaths in the American South, a time when many lacked niacin due to poor diet. This once-common and devastating condition is caused by a severe vitamin B3 deficiency, profoundly affecting multiple body systems, including the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system.

According to a study published in the journal *StatPearls*, severe niacin deficiency is known as pellagra, a condition that classically includes dermatitis as a core feature. A characteristic symptom of niacin deficiency is a photosensitive, reddish-brown rash that appears symmetrically on sun-exposed skin.

Historically, severe niacin deficiency affected millions in impoverished communities globally. Pellagra, caused by a lack of vitamin B3, is the systemic disease known for the classic symptoms of diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and if left untreated, death.

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.

Historically, pellagra has affected millions, often in populations relying on corn as a staple food, and is famously characterized by the "3 Ds." An understanding of what are the three main symptoms of pellagra—dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia—is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.