Scurvy is a rare condition that occurs when a person doesn't have enough vitamin C in their diet.
Vitamin C is vital for the body as it needs it to make a substance called collagen. Collagen is a type of protein found in many different types of tissue, such as skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage (which covers the surface of joints).
The body needs to regularly produce collagen. Without vitamin C, collagen can't be replaced and the different types of tissue break down, leading to symptoms of scurvy, including:
- muscle and joint pain
- tiredness
- the appearance of red dots on the skin
- bleeding and swelling of the gums, which can lead to teeth falling out
Vitamin C
Unlike some other types of vitamins, the human body is unable to make vitamin C. Therefore, all the vitamin C that the body needs has to come from a person’s diet; specifically fresh fruit and vegetables (see box, left).
The best way to prevent scurvy is to eat a healthy, balanced diet that contains plenty of fruit and vegetables. Read more about preventing scurvy.
Who is affected by scurvy?
People tend to think that scurvy is a disease of the past because our diet and standard of living has improved over the years. However, although rare, vitamin C deficiency can still be a problem for certain groups of people, including:
- elderly people who are unable to maintain a healthy diet
- people with a dependency on alcohol or drugs
Treating scurvy
Treatment for scurvy is relatively straightforward. It involves taking vitamin C supplements and eating food that's high in vitamin C. This should quickly reverse the harmful symptoms of scurvy.
The fact that a person has scurvy in the first place is usually a sign that they're vulnerable or living a chaotic lifestyle. Therefore, referral to other healthcare professionals, such as a dietician, social worker or mental healthcare professional may be required to prevent further episodes of scurvy or other problems linked to malnutrition.
