Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 26 : Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)

Dermatitis

Most characteristic sign of the disease. It is symmetrical in distribution. In early stages, a bright red erythema resembling sunburn occurs over the exposed parts of the body. The commonest sites are the fingers and hands, the forearms, dorsum of the feet and ankles and the neck. In the beginning, the skin is red and slightly swollen. The lesion may worsen by the formation of vesicles and bullae with cracking of the skin. Secondary infection is always present. With improvement, the skin becomes dry, less red and the surface desquamates. The dermatitis is precipitated by exposure to sunlight.

Symptoms of niacin deficiency

Pellagra is a disease of deficiency of niacin which causes problems in the skin and the digestive and nervous systems.