What is Pellagra? Pellagra Disease Treatment

Pellegra disease, Vitamin B3 also known as niacin It is a disease caused by a miscarriage. It is manifested by dementia, diarrhea and dermatitis. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

It used to be a more common disease. Today, this problem still exists in many developing countries.

What is pellagra disease?

Pellegra diseaseenough niacin (vitamin B3) in the body, or tryptophan It is a situation that does not exist. Tryptophan helps the body use niacin.

In some cases, niacin deficiency develops because a person does not get enough niacin or tryptophan from food. This is called primary pellagra.

In other cases, this discomfort occurs even if enough niacin is taken from food. The body cannot use it for any reason. This is called secondary pellagra.

Pellegra diseaseThe most visible symptom is dermatitis. The disease is treated by eliminating the deficiency of vitamin B3.

Pellegra diseaseoccurs mostly in adults. It is rare in children and infants.

pellagra disease
What is pellagra disease?

What causes pellagra disease?

Primary pellagraCaused by low intake of either niacin or tryptophan from food. This type of the disease is common in developing countries where maize is used as a staple food. Misircontains “niacytin,” a niacin that cannot be digested and absorbed in humans unless properly prepared.

Secondary pellagra occurs when the body does not absorb niacin. Conditions that may prevent the body from absorbing niacin include:

  • Alcohol
  • Eating disorders
  • Certain medications, such as anti-convulsions and immunosuppressive drugs
  • Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis
  • Cirrhosis
  • carcinoid tumors
  • Hartnup's disease
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What are the symptoms of pellagra disease?

The main symptoms of the disease are dermatitis, dementia and diarrhea. This is because vitamin B3 deficiency affects body parts with high cell turnover rates, such as the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of dermatitis resulting from this disease include:

  • red skin
  • Color change from red to brown
  • Thick, crusty, scaly or cracked skin
  • Itchy, burning patches of skin

In some cases, neurological manifestations of this disease occur. Pellegra disease As it progresses, symptoms of dementia that may occur include:

  • Indifference
  • Mood changes such as depression, irritability
  • Headache
  • restlessness or anxiety
  • attention disorder

Other possible symptoms are:

  • Sores on the lips, tongue, or gums
  • decreased appetite
  • eating problem
  • Nausea and vomiting

How is pellagra disease diagnosed?

The disease is difficult to diagnose. There is no specific test to diagnose niacin deficiency.

The doctor starts by checking for any gastrointestinal problems, rashes, or changes in mood. He or she may also do a urine test.

Pellagra treatment

  • Primary pellagra is treated with dietary modification or supplementation with niacin or nicotinamide. Nicotinamide is another form of vitamin B3.
  • With early treatment, many people make a full recovery and begin to feel better within a few days of starting treatment.
  • Skin healing may take several months. However, if primary pellagra is left untreated, it usually causes death after four or five years.
  • Treatment of secondary pellagra focuses on treating the underlying cause. 
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Pellagra disease natural treatment

Primary pellagra cases can be treated with simple and natural methods. Secondary pellagra should be carefully monitored by a healthcare professional as other health conditions are involved.

In either case, do not try to treat the condition at home without a formal diagnosis by a doctor. Pellegra disease Natural treatment options for:

Use a vitamin B3 supplement

Primary pellagra can usually only be treated by taking a niacin supplement. In most cases, secondary pellagra is also treated with niacin supplementation. Treatment will also be needed for the condition causing the deficiency. The doctor will determine the appropriate dose for niacin.

Eat a diet rich in niacin and tryptophan

Eat plenty of niacin-rich foods:

Foods rich in tryptophan include:

  • Seeds such as pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds
  • Cheeses such as parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella
  • Lean beef, goat and veal
  • chicken and turkey
  • Salmon, trout, tuna and other fish
  • Shellfish
  • Uncooked oats, buckwheat and wheat bran
  • Beans and lentils
  • egg

Protect your skin

After taking niacin or nicotinamide supplements, the person will start to feel better within a few days.

It may take several months for the skin to fully heal, and some people may have permanent loss of pigment (color) in their skin. Pay attention to the following for skin healing:

  • Use sunscreen when you go out.
  • Wear clothes that protect your skin from the sun.
  • Avoid sun exposure when pellagra is at its worst.
  • Apply moisturizer to all affected skin at least once a day.
  • Avoid moisturizers, soaps, sunscreen, and other skin care products that contain harsh chemicals or irritating additives.
  • Avoid things that can irritate the skin, such as taking a hot bath, spending a lot of time in the shower, swimming in chlorinated water, applying make-up with irritating chemicals, using perfume or deodorant on the affected skin.
  • Watch for signs of infection. 
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