Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
Medically reviewed by Jane Kim, MD
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that the body needs for growth and development. People who don’t have enough vitamin C in their bodies have a vitamin C deficiency, also called scurvy. The human body does not make vitamin C naturally so we have to get all the vitamin C we need in the food we eat. Vitamin C is often consumed in fruits and vegetables, but it is in many foods.
While most people get enough vitamin C in their normal diet, some people become vitamin C deficient. It takes about two to three months of consuming too little vitamin C to become deficient. You are more at risk for developing scurvy if you smoke tobacco, consume an excess of alcohol, or have a variety of conditions, including an eating disorder, gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food allergies, or type 1 diabetes.
We’ll discuss the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency and how to know when you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Behavioral Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
Behavioral symptoms are often the first symptoms that present with a vitamin C deficiency. If you are vitamin C deficient, you may notice you are fatigued, irritable, and have a loss of appetite.
Irritability
Someone with a vitamin C deficiency may appear to be more irritable than normal. This irritability may be a result of an overall feeling of being unwell or it may occur as a result of other symptoms like anemia (a condition characterized by reduced red blood cell levels).
Loss of Appetite
A loss of appetite is one of the other symptoms vitamin C deficiency often presents with, along with other feelings of being generally unwell, such as nausea and flu-like symptoms.
Since vitamin C is necessary to help your body absorb iron, a vitamin C deficiency can cause an iron deficiency, contributing to the severity of these symptoms. A loss of appetite can also make eating more foods rich in vitamin C challenging.
Skin Symptoms
People who are vitamin C deficient will generally experience a range of skin symptoms. This is because vitamin C plays a role in making a protein called collagen. Your body uses collagen to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels.
One of the main skin symptoms of scurvy occurs when your blood vessels leak blood underneath your skin. This can look like purple patches on your skin, called purpura, as well as cause tiny spots uf blood under the skin (petechiae) and bruising. Purpura can be as big as 10 millimeters in diameter. Your skin may also be dry and feel rough or scaly.
It may also be more difficult for someone with scurvy to heal from wounds or fight off an infection. Vitamin C plays a role in healing wounds and forming scar tissue. Without enough vitamin C, you may notice a scrape or blister takes longer to heal than it normally would.
Nail Symptoms
Not only are your skin and hair affected by a lack of vitamin C, but your nails are too. Your nails may appear to be bleeding, similar to your skin. They may also have a deformity where the center of the nail is indented and the end of the nail is elevated. This may resemble a spoon-like shape.
Hair Symptoms
If you have scurvy, your hair may appear to be more twisted or bent. This is because the deficiency caused a lack of a certain type of bond in your hair.
The hair on your legs may also be affected. Since the blood vessels are affected by a lack of vitamin C, this can cause bleeding around the hair follicles in your legs. This can lead to swelling in your legs.
Vision Symptoms
Your eyes can be affected by a lack of vitamin C. Vision symptoms can be severe and significantly affect your quality of life, so it’s important to get treatment right away. Vitamin C deficiency can cause:
Small blood vessel bleeds in the white part of your eye
Damaged nerves
Bleeding into the optic nerve (the nerve that connects your eyes to your brain)
Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
These symptoms can lead to problems like tissue damage, swelling, and changes in the optic nerve. If you experience any of these symptoms talk to your healthcare provider right away. They will likely refer you to an optometrist or an ophthalmologist (two types of eye doctors).
Joint and Bone Symptoms
Vitamin C deficiency can cause capillary (blood vessel) fragility, which contributes to the skin and hair symptoms mentioned above. Capillary fragility can occur in the joints, causing pain and swelling, usually in the legs. Prolonged periods of standing can worsen leg swelling due to the pull of gravity.
Additionally, one of the roles of vitamin C is to repair and maintain bones and cartilage. Having scurvy means that your bones and cartilage are not getting enough vitamin C to grow and develop. This can cause your bones to become brittle and weak and joints that are swollen and painful.
Since vitamin C deficiency can affect bone formation, people with advance survey may notice something called a “scorbutic rosary.” This term means that there is a visible bumpy pattern on the skin where the ribs meet the breastbone. There may also be an indentation in the breastbone.
Physical Symptoms
You may notice physical symptoms as a result of vitamin C deficiency. This can include fatigue, anemia, joint pain and swelling, and symptoms associated with your mouth.
Fatigue
Fatigue is an early sign of vitamin C deficiency; although, it is also an early sign of a variety of conditions and deficiencies. Fatigue due to vitamin C deficiency will likely also be accompanied by weakness and muscle aching.
Anemia
Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, one of the minerals that make up red blood cells. When there isn’t enough vitamin C in the body, this can affect the absorption of iron and lead to anemia.
Anemia is when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells that can provide oxygen to the body. This lack of oxygen can lead to symptoms such as:
Tiredness
Weakness
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Dizziness
Headaches
Other than vitamin C deficiency, anemia can have a few different causes. The treatment can vary based on the cause and how severe it is.
Mouth Problems
Repairing and maintaining your teeth is one of the many roles of vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C may cause your enamel (the protective outer layer of your teeth) to weaken.
Vitamin C deficiency can also cause inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. Gingivitis may cause your gums to bleed, swell, or appear red or purple. Bleeding gums are one of the most common symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
If you are experiencing any symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, you may need treatment from your healthcare provider. They can help figure out how much vitamin C you need and if you need other treatments for the symptoms you are experiencing.
Late-stage vitamin C deficiency can be life-threatening. If you are experiencing symptoms of scurvy, contact your healthcare provider. Look out for severe symptoms which can include:
Severe swelling
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Treatment includes vitamin C supplementation and adjustments to your diet. You should start to see some improvement in your symptoms within 24 hours of starting treatment.
A Quick Review
Even though most people get enough vitamin C in their regular diet, there are some people who become vitamin C deficient. Vitamin C deficiency, also called scurvy, can lead to symptoms that affect your skin, muscles, joints, behavior, and overall well-being.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency, talk to your healthcare provider. They can test your levels of vitamin C and can advise you on treatment that may include supplements and adjustments to your diet.
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