Nutritional & Blood Disorders
Niacin deficiency [pellagra]
Serious
ICD-10: E52 · NIH NLM
हिंदी: पेलाग्रा · தமிழ்: பெல்லாக்ரா · ಕನ್ನಡ: ಪೆಲಾಗ್ರಾ · తెలుగు: పెల్లాగ్రా · বাংলা: পেলাগ্রা · मराठी: पेलाग्रा · ગુજરાતી: પેલાગ્રા
About this condition
Pellagra is a disease caused by severe niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency, often occurring in populations dependent on corn as a staple without proper preparation or dietary diversity. It causes characteristic symptoms of skin rashes, diarrhea, mental confusion, and if untreated can be fatal. Treatment with niacin supplementation and improved diet leads to rapid improvement.
Common symptoms
skin rash
diarrhea
red scaly skin
mental confusion
swollen tongue
weakness
loss of appetite
When to see a doctor: within 24-48 hours if symptoms present
This condition in Indian languages
| Hindi (हिंदी) | पेलाग्रा · नियासिन की कमी · विटामिन बी3 की कमी · त्वचा रोग |
| Tamil (தமிழ்) | பெல்லாக்ரா · நியாசின் குறைபாடு · வைட்டமின் பி3 குறைபாடு · தோல் நோய் |
| Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) | ಪೆಲಾಗ್ರಾ · ನಿಯಾಸಿನ್ ಕೊರತೆ · ವಿಟಮಿನ್ ಬಿ3 ಕೊರತೆ · ಚರ್ಮ ರೋಗ |
| Telugu (తెలుగు) | పెల్లాగ్రా · నియాసిన్ లోపం · విటమిన్ బి3 లోపం · చర్మ వ్యాధి |
| Bengali (বাংলা) | পেলাগ্রা · নিয়াসিন ঘাটতি · ভিটামিন বি৩ এর অভাব · চর্মরোগ |
| Marathi (मराठी) | पेलाग्रा · नियासिन कमतरता · व्हिटॅमिन बी3 कमतरता · त्वचा रोग |
| Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) | પેલાગ્રા · નિયાસિન ઉણપ · વિટામિન બી3 ની ઉણપ · ચામડીનો રોગ |
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of Niacin deficiency [pellagra]?
skin rash, diarrhea, red scaly skin, mental confusion, swollen tongue, weakness.
When should I see a doctor?
within 24-48 hours if symptoms present
Is Niacin deficiency [pellagra] common in India?
This condition is seen across India.
How serious is Niacin deficiency [pellagra]?
Severity is classified as Serious. within 24-48 hours if symptoms present.
Related conditions
Important: This information is for general awareness only and is
not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor.
In an emergency, call 112.
Data sourced from NIH NLM
and MOHFW India.
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