One of the essential nutrients your system needs is vitamin C. You must take it regularly to avoid a deficiency in your body because it needs a healthy amount of Vitamin C. Although a deficiency in vitamin C is relatively rare in developed parts of the world —because of supplements and fresh plants— vitamin C deficiency still affects about 7% of adults in the United States.
Risk factors that are commonplace when there is a significant deficiency in Vitamin C include severe mental illness, poor diet, and alcoholism. While the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency may take months to develop, there are sure signs that you should be on the lookout for. This article will discuss six signs of such deficiency.
Signs of Vitamin C Deficiency
Rough, Bumpy Skin
Playing a pivotal role in the production of collagen —a protein found in many connective tissues such as hair, joints, bones, and skin — a deficiency in vitamin C will lead to a medical condition such as keratosis pilaris.
This condition manifests in bumpy, chicken-like skin on several areas, including the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. It takes about three to five months for such a condition to manifest, and you can easily remove it with supplements.
Corkscrew-Shaped Body Hair
Further, a deficiency in vitamin C causes hair to grow in bent shapes, mainly caused by the defects that manifest during the development of the hair’s protein structure during its growth.
This sign is a standard hallmark sign of deficiency in the vitamin, although this sign may not be obvious, as damaged hairs tend to break off the skin. You can resolve this within a month with adequate amounts of vitamin C.
Bright Red Hair Follicles
When there is a significant deficiency in Vitamin C, hair follicles on the skin become very fragile and tend to break off easily. This leads to small, bright red spite that appears around the hair follicles.
This has been termed perifollicular bleeding and is a well-known sign of a significant deficiency in Vitamin C. Taking vitamin C supplements for two weeks can resolve this symptom.
Spoon-shaped Fingernails With Red Spots or Lines
Another vital symptom of vitamin C deficiency is spoon-shaped nails, concave-like appearance, and typically thin and brittle. There is also a likelihood of red spots or vertical lines appearing within the nail bed. This splinter hemorrhage can be caused by a shortage of vitamin C in the body.
Dry and Damaged Skin
An insignificant intake of vitamins is a primary reason for a 10% increase in the risk of developing dry, damaged skin.
Although you should note that while dry skin can be linked to vitamin C deficiency, it can also be a symptom of several other factors, so this symptom is not enough to give a diagnosis.
Easy Bruising
Finally, vitamin C deficiency can cause bruising. This happens when the blood vessels under the skin rupture, causing blood to leak into other areas.
A deficiency in vitamin C can indicate easy bruising because there is poor collagen production, which leads to weak blood vessels.
Conclusion
You must consume vitamin C in large amounts since our bodies cannot store or make such vitamins. You can consume this through fruits and vegetables.