Corkscrew Hairs and Circle Hairs
A possible sign of Vitamin C Deficiency
Have I ever told you that dermatologists are a little weird, at least I am. We get sort of excited when we see something unusual. As a patient, I have felt a little freaked out when a doctor has said, “This is cool! Can I write an article or take a picture?” If I ever do that to you, sorry in advance. Sometimes I just can’t help myself. A few weeks ago I noticed some Corkscrew Hairs and Circle Hairs on a patient on a routine exam. So, I thought it would be a great chance to learn.
Corkscrew hairs have the corkscrew appearance as seen in these photos. They can be a skin sign of Scurvy, Vitamin C deficiency. Circle hairs as also seen in the photo are more commonly seen on the trunk and extremities of adult males without vitamin deficiency.
Scurvy was first described ages ago in travelers who had no access to fresh fruit and vegetables. It is rarely seen today in America. Skin signs of scurvy include: corkscrew hairs, bleeding around gums, and bruising on the skin.
Vitamin C is not stored in the body and scurvy can develop within 60-90 days of lack of Vitamin C. The RDA of Vitamin C is 40-100mg per day depending on age and size as referenced in the table below. The most common groups of those at risk for Vitamin C deficiency include smokers and the elderly.
As summer rolls around, take advantage of all the great fruits and vegetables to get a healthy dose of Vitamin C. . One cup of strawberries has 89mg of Vitamin C, which is 99% of the RDA for adult males. So, hit those strawberry patches and start picking!
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