What Deficiency Is Called Scurvy? Understanding the Cause and Effects

October 26, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018, approximately 5.9% of the US population has vitamin C deficiency, and the severe form of this condition is called scurvy. This potentially life-threatening disease, caused by a chronic lack of vitamin C, can lead to widespread health issues if left untreated.

Quick Summary

Scurvy is caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, which can disrupt the body's ability to produce collagen. This leads to symptoms like bleeding gums, easy bruising, joint pain, and fatigue. Treatment involves restoring vitamin C levels through dietary changes and supplements.

Key Points

Vitamin C Deficiency: Scurvy is the name for the disease caused by a severe, chronic lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Impaired Collagen Synthesis: The core issue is the body's inability to produce collagen without vitamin C, affecting connective tissues, blood vessels, and bone structure.
Key Symptoms: Hallmark signs include bleeding and swollen gums, easy bruising, corkscrew hairs, and poor wound healing.
Rapid Improvement with Treatment: Most symptoms resolve quickly with vitamin C supplementation, with fatigue improving within days and full recovery often seen within a few months.
Prevention is Key: The most effective prevention is a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, as humans cannot produce their own vitamin C.

Scurvy: A Historic Disease Still Relevant Today

Scurvy is the name for the disease caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. While historically linked to sailors lacking fresh food, scurvy remains a concern today for individuals with restrictive diets or absorption issues. The human body requires a steady supply of vitamin C as it cannot produce or store it in significant amounts.

The Critical Role of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient crucial for numerous bodily functions, particularly the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is vital for the structure of connective tissues, skin, bones, and blood vessels. Insufficient vitamin C impairs collagen production, resulting in the fragility and bleeding characteristic of scurvy.

Additionally, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, supports iron absorption, aids the immune system, and is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis.

Recognising the Signs and Symptoms of Scurvy

Scurvy symptoms typically manifest after several months of inadequate vitamin C intake. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent the condition from worsening.

Initial symptoms include:

Fatigue and weakness
Irritability
Muscle and joint pain
Loss of appetite

Advanced symptoms include:

Swollen, bleeding gums; loose teeth
Easy bruising, skin spots (petechiae), rough skin
Corkscrew-shaped body hairs
Poor wound healing
Anemia
Swelling in legs and feet

Comparison of Scurvy in Adults vs. Infants


Feature	Adults	Infants
Common Symptoms	Bleeding gums, easy bruising, corkscrew hairs, joint pain.	Irritability, pain with movement (leading to a "frog-leg posture"), and poor weight gain.
Primary Cause	Poor diet lacking fruits and vegetables, alcoholism, or malabsorption issues.	Historically, feeding boiled or evaporated milk. Now, often due to restrictive diets or neglect.
Bone Health	Bones can become brittle due to deficient osteoid matrix formation.	Impaired bone growth and classic subperiosteal hemorrhages (bleeding under the bone membrane).
Incidence	Although rare, it can occur in at-risk groups like the elderly and those with poor nutrition.	Uncommon today due to fortified infant formulas and adequate breastfeeding.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Scurvy

Diagnosis relies on clinical signs, symptoms, and dietary history. A physical exam checks for indicators like gum issues and skin abnormalities. Blood tests can confirm vitamin C levels, though a positive response to supplementation often confirms the diagnosis.

Treating scurvy is effective and involves vitamin C supplementation and dietary changes. Incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables is essential for prevention.

Symptoms improve rapidly with treatment, with fatigue resolving within days and full recovery often occurring within three months.

Preventing Scurvy in the Modern World

Preventing scurvy involves ensuring adequate vitamin C intake through diet. Key measures include consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, considering supplements for at-risk individuals, managing underlying health conditions that affect nutrient absorption, and increasing awareness among vulnerable populations.

Scurvy is both preventable and treatable. Understanding its cause and prevention remains important for public health, highlighting the vital role of a balanced diet.

James Lind and the prevention of scurvy on long sea voyages

Frequently Asked Questions

The main cause of scurvy is a prolonged, severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the diet, typically occurring after several months of inadequate intake.

Scurvy is treated with vitamin C supplements, administered orally or intravenously. This is combined with dietary changes to include more fresh fruits and vegetables.

At-risk groups include individuals with poor dietary habits, alcoholism, the elderly, those with malabsorption disorders, and people with eating disorders.

Early signs of scurvy are often non-specific and include fatigue, general weakness, irritability, and muscle or joint aches.

If left untreated, scurvy can lead to serious complications and may ultimately be fatal, though it is easily treated once diagnosed.

Improvement can be seen within 24-72 hours of starting treatment. Full recovery, including the healing of skin and gum issues, can take up to three months.

No, while scurvy was historically prevalent among sailors, it still occurs in modern times, particularly in individuals with limited access to fresh food or specific dietary restrictions.