Vitamin C supplements are used in the initial stage of treating scurvy. Once treatment begins, you should notice your symptoms starting to improve significantly.
Symptoms such as joint pain will usually resolve within 48 hours. Most people will make a full recovery within two weeks.
Once your symptoms improve, you should be able to get enough vitamin C by eating a healthy, balanced diet and you will no longer have to take supplements.
Read more about preventing scurvy by eating a healthy diet.
Referral to a specialist
You may be referred to a health or social care specialist to address the underlying reasons for developing scurvy in the first place. The type of specialist will depend on the underlying cause. For example, you may be referred to a:
- a dietician if you have scurvy that was caused by a very unhealthy diet and there were no other underlying factors
- a social worker or occupational therapist if your scurvy was caused by an inability to cook for yourself due to disability or poor health; an occupational therapist helps people to carry out day-to-day tasks such as cooking
- a gastroenterologist – a doctor who specialises in treating digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s disease if your scurvy has been caused by this type of condition
- a psychologist if your scurvy is associated with a mental health or behavioural condition, such as depression, schizophrenia or anorexia nervosa
