Living with Pellagra
A nutrition condition from too little niacin (vitamin B3), with skin changes, diarrhea, and thinking and mood problems.
Understanding Pellagra
It is mainly seen in Asia and Africa, where it is generally due to poor nutrition. It affects the skin, the gut, and the nervous system. It needs correct management.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Skin blisters, dryness, and dark patches
- Diarrhea
- Memory and thinking problems (dementia)
- Depression
- Sore mouth, lips, or tongue
- Tiredness (fatigue)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Children's Skin Disease Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
A shortage of niacin (vitamin B3) or its building block tryptophan causes this condition, usually due to poor nutrition.
Also known as: niacin deficiency; niacin-tryptophan deficiency
Patient organizations
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
Broader rare-disease groups
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Pellagra.
Explore research for Pellagra
Explore actively recruiting Pellagra studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Pellagra with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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