Nutritional deficiency and the skin Flashcards
What are some mechanisms of nutritional deficiency?
- Dietary insufficiency
- Bowel malabsorption
- Concomitant drugs affecting absorption
Who is most at risk of nutritional deficiency in modern society?
Food faddists
Those with eating disorders
Infants
What are the uses of vitamin A in the skin?
Epithelial proliferation, keratinisation and development
Wha are some sources of vitamin A?
- Animal
- Milk
- Liver
- Eggs
- Oily fish
- Plant
- Green leafy veg
- Bright yellow/orange fruit (E.g. mango)
- Bright yellow/orange veg (E.g. Carrots)
What are some skin manifestations of vitamin A deficiency?
Keratotic follicular papules on the thighs and upper arms, with presence of dry skin
How is vitamin A deficiency diagnosed?
Serum vitamin A
What is the importance of vitamin K?
Production of several coagulation factors
What are some sources of vitamin K?
- Green leafy veg
- Liver
- Legumes
- Vegetable oils
- GI tract bacteria (Produced in the GI tract)
What are some skin manifestations of vitamin K deficiency?
Bleeding tendency, presenting with purpura and easy bruising
How is vitamin K deficiency diagnosed?
Measuring coagulation and serum vitamin K
What is the name for vitamin B2?
Riboflavin
What are some sources of vitamin B2?
- Milk
- Liver
- Meat
- Eggs
- Leafy green veg
How will vitamin B2 deficiency present in the skin?
Lesions on the margins of the lips (Cheilosis) and corners of the mouth (Angular stomatitis)
The patients tongue may also become painful, red and dry
How is vitamin B2 deficiency diagnosed?
measuring the activity coefficient of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR)
What is the name of vitamin B3?
Niacin
What are some sources of vitamin B3?
- Meat
- Fish
- Nuts
- Coffee
- Converted from dietary tryptophan in the body
What disease is caused by vitamin B3 deficiency?
Pellagra
Where is pellagra most commonly found?
Endemic in areas with high grain, low meat diet such as in Indo-China
How will pellagra (Vitamin B3 deficiency) present?
This presents with the 4Ds:
D - Dermatitis - Bilateral, symmetrical, itchy, red rash, worse on sun-exposed areas
D - Delirium - Headaches, irritability, anxiety, depression, memory impairment
D - Diarrhoea - With abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
D - Death - In 4-5 years if not treated
How is vitamin B3 deficiency diagnosed?
It is difficult to measure niacin levels, however, diagnosis can be made with nicotinamide therapy, which will bring rapid improvement
What are some sources of vitamin B6?
- Meats
- Cereals
- Milk
- Potatoes
- Bananas
- Nuts
- Pulses
How will vitamin B6 deficiency present on the skin?
Dermatitis of face, scalp, neck, shoulders, buttocks and perineum, with tongue inflammation (glossitis)