Pellagrous Dermatitis: A Forgotten Entity

    October 2019 in “ Postgraduate Medical Journal ”
    Sreeramu Suggu, Shruti Kakar, Mala Bhalla
    TLDR Pellagrous dermatitis, caused by niacin deficiency, can be cured with vitamin supplements.
    A 50-year-old male with a history of chronic alcoholism presented with itchy, reddish, scaly lesions on his arms, diagnosed as pellagrous dermatitis due to low niacin and vitamin B12 levels. Treatment with oral nicotinamide, vitamin B12 injections, and thiamine led to complete resolution of symptoms within 2 weeks. Pellagra, caused by niacin deficiency, is rare in developed countries but can occur with chronic alcoholism and other conditions. It is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and potentially death if untreated. Dermatologists should consider nutritional deficiencies in cases of photosensitive rashes, as supplementation can be curative.
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