Abstract
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found abundantly in citrus fruits, vegetables, and possess antioxidant properties. It is crucial for skin, bone, and connective tissue, and its deficiency is characterised by swollen and bleeding gums, easy fracturing of bones, fatigue, delay in healing of wounds, swelling in joints, perifollicular haemorrhage, keratosis pilaris, and scurvy. Pregnant women, elderly, and people of low socio income are more prone to deficiency of Vitamin C. Low levels of Vitamin C can be checked by incorporating its rich dietary sources like fresh fruits and vegetables in daily diet or through dietary supplements.
TopClinical Signs And Symptoms
Robert E. Hodges et.al. (1971) found that Vitamin C deficient men are manifested by signs and symptoms of fatigue, haemorrhagic phenomena, swell on joints, swollen bleeding gums, follicular hyperkeratosis, muscular aches and sprains and emotional changes. Similarly, Katie A Dunleavy et.al. (2021) reported that reduced intake of Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables had symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and had clinical signs like arthralgia, dry brittle hair, pigmented rash, gingivitis, easy bruising and brittle nails.
Keratosis pilaris -Vitamin C plays a key role in the formation of collagen protein which is found in ample amount in connective tissues such as skin, bones, joints, hair and blood vessels. But poor levels of vitamin C results in Keratosis Pilaris, a skin condition which is also known as ‘chicken skin’. It causes bumpy skin on thighs, upper arms and buttocks. These bumps are caused when the pores of the skin are blocked by the keratin protein. Keratosis pilaris is a harmless skin condition and is usually noticeable when there is insufficient amount of vitamin C in the body for at least 3 to 5 months.
Perifollicular haemorrhage- Perifollicular haemorrhage is a peculiar sign of an acute deficiency of vitamin C in the body in which small blood vessels that supply blood and nutrients to the area becomes brittle and breakable.
Splinter haemorrhage- Splinter haemorrhage is another symptom of vitamin C deficiency. These are red spots or vertical lines in the sterile matrix which burst quickly due to weak blood vessel.