In patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, the following skin lesions are reported: skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, hair changes, and recurrent angular stomatitis.
The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].
If you have a very low level of B12, you may be subject to hyperpigmentation (dark spots) on your skin, as well as to vitiligo (light patches on your skin), mouth ulcers, eczema, and acne. On the other hand, too much B12 in your body can also give you vitiligo, mouth ulcers, eczema, and acne.
It's well-documented that skin disorders can stem from nutritional deficiencies. For example, a lack of vitamin B12 can result in pigmentation disorders, including vitiligo. That's a more extreme example, but even running low in specific key vitamins can leave your skin dry, dull, more inflamed, and wrinkly.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including: numbness. muscle weakness. psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia.
Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don't get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can't work as well. Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.
If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated, it can cause lasting side effects that affect the nervous system and brain. More severe side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Peripheral neuropathy. Degeneration of the spinal cord.
There is evidence that vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, biotin, and the minerals chromium, iron, selenium, and zinc play important roles in maintaining skin heath. Additional supplementation may be helpful for specific skin conditions.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin. At first, you'll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks or until your symptoms have started improving.
The allergy can be triggered by taking vitamin B12 supplements because B12 contains cobalt atoms. Cobalt allergies most often develop in people exposed to it in eye makeup, tattoos, or industrial products, causing an itchy, red, scaly rash.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
If the cause of your vitamin B12 deficiency is down to a lack of B12 in your diet, then you can gradually remedy this by eating more food with B12 in it. Through this method, it can take up 6 months to a year to fully recover from a B12 deficiency. The best food groups for B12 levels are meat, fish, and dairy.
Vitamin D
Additionally, vitamin D helps regulate the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil, which can help reduce the appearance of acne. Adequate vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Vitamin E: the “beauty” vitamin. To protect your skin from the ravages of time and damages caused by harsh weather, incorporate vitamin E into your daily beauty routine.
Particularly, individuals with lung, stomach, colon, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers are more prone to experiencing a deficiency in vitamin B12. This article will discuss different types of cancers causing vitamin B12 deficiency, associated symptoms, and available treatment options.
Conditions affecting the stomach
Some stomach conditions or stomach operations can prevent the absorption of enough vitamin B12. For example, a gastrectomy, a surgical procedure where part of your stomach is removed, increases your risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in skin health by providing essential nutrients for collagen production and by helping to maintain the skin's natural moisture balance. Vitamin B12 also helps to promote healthy cell growth, which can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging [1].
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in hair growth. When the body lacks this essential nutrient, it can disrupt normal follicle function and cause excessive shedding. The good news is that recognising the symptoms of B12 deficiency early and treating it properly can help get your hair back on track.
Contrary to common assumptions, Vitamin B12 deficiency doesn't directly lead to weight gain. However, it can indirectly influence weight through its impact on energy metabolism. Insufficient B12 can lead to fatigue and weakness, which may reduce physical activity levels and, in turn, lead to weight gain.