Common Symptoms Of A Niacin Deficiency

Thick And Scaly Rash

A thick and scaly rash can occur when a niacin deficiency has resulted in a disease called pellagra. This disease causes dermatitis, or red, dry, swollen, and inflamed patches of skin. Niacin deficiency and pellagra manifest in the body regions and parts with the highest rates of cell turnover, like the skin. The most common sites where pellagra-derived dermatitis occurs include the lips, hands, face, and feet. This rash can also occur around the neck. Usually, the skin involved in the rash will be flaky, red, discolored, thick, cracked, scaly, crusty, and itchy.

Dermatitis associated with a niacin deficiency typically starts off looking similar to a sunburn. The rash then can form blisters or lesions depending on the severity of the individual's deficiency. Dry brown scales and crusting may form between two and four weeks after the initial appearance of the rash. This type of rash occurs symmetrically, similar to the way canker sores caused by a niacin deficiency are symmetrical. Minor areas of the rash may be further irritated by heat, pressure, friction, or sunlight and become excessively scaly and red.

Learn more about the various warning signs of a niacin deficiency now.