Skip to main content
Update Location

My Location

Update your location to show providers, locations, and services closest to you.

Enter a zip code
Or
Select a campus/region
(352) 733-0111

Scurvy

Definition

Scurvy is a disease that occurs when you have a severe lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in your diet. Scurvy causes general weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin hemorrhages.

Scurvy is rare in the United States. Older adults who are not getting proper nutrition are most affected by scurvy.

Alternative Names

Vitamin C deficiency; Deficiency - vitamin C; Scorbutus

Gallery

Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage
Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Common symptoms include pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, along the gums, and under the nails, as seen in this photograph. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.
Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage
Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Common symptoms include pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, along the gums, and under the nails, as seen in this photograph. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.
Scurvy - periungual hemorrhage
Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Common symptoms include pinpoint bleeding around hair follicles, along the gums, and under the nails, as seen in this photograph. This disease rarely occurs in the United States.

References

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Nutritional diseases. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.

Hall JE Hall ME. Dietary balances; regulation of feeding; obesity and starvation; vitamins and minerals. In: Hall JE, Hall ME ed. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 72.

Last reviewed July 19, 2021 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

Related specialties

News and Patient Stories: Scurvy

Haitian prisoners are severely malnourished, study finds

December 19, 2022

Men in Haitian prisons are consuming fewer than 500 calories a day and are at risk for developing scurvy and beriberi because of nutritional deficiencies,…

College of Medicine, College of Public Health and Health Professions, +2 more

Patching a pot

Ahoy, Scurvy Awareness!

Today is Talk like a Pirate Day, which is a great opportunity to shed some light on scurvy - a disease that is often associated with those who sail the seven…

Multicolored citrus slices laid invitingly on a wooden cutting board
More Scurvy stories

Latest podcast episodes

Spices can spur scary dreams

Think of the weirdest, scariest dream you’ve ever had. Maybe a giant purple bunny was chasing you through your childhood elementary school, or you were drowning in a bowl of soup. Can you recall if...

Cheerleading: safe or scary?

So your daughter wants to don a colorful outfit, grab some pom-poms and join her pals on a cheerleading squad. You’re cool with that. At least it’s safer than soccer, basketball or hockey. But wait...

Listen to more Health in a Heartbeat episodes