Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver. Vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A, is a buildup of vitamin A in the liver that results from overuse of vitamin A. Vitamin A toxicity can be acute or chronic. Acute toxicity occurs over a short period of time, and chronic toxicity results from prolonged use of vitamin A. Vitamin A toxicity can cause serious problems, especially for infants and children; however, the Merck Manuals say that individuals usually recover completely once vitamin A use stops.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Toxicity in Infants and Children
The Merck Manuals note that vitamin A toxicity in children is usually due to accidental ingestion of vitamin A. Infants and children with hypervitaminosis A may experience double vision, poor weight gain and softening of the skull bone. Mothers who take too much vitamin A put their infants at risk for birth defects. Birth defects in developing fetuses are irreversible.
Skin Changes
Changes in the skin are usually symptoms of chronic vitamin A toxicity, according to the Merck Manuals, and can include dry or rough skin, cracked lips, oily skin, and peeling or itchy skin. Coarse hair, hair loss and oily hair are also symptoms of vitamin A toxicity. Vitamin A toxicity can also result in carotenodermia, a skin disorder characterized by yellowing of the skin, especially on the palms and soles.
Vision, Bone and Intestinal Symptoms
Vitamin A toxicity can cause blurred vision, bone pain or swelling, and osteoporosis. The Merck Manuals explain that elderly individuals with chronic vitamin A toxicity have a higher risk of fractures. Acute intestinal symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.
Head Symptoms
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) states that vitamin A toxicity can cause changes in consciousness, dizziness, fatigue, irritability and increased pressure in the brain. Chronic vitamin A toxicity is also associated with severe headaches and general weakness.
Additional Symptoms of Vitamin A Toxicity
In some cases, vitamin A toxicity can result in an enlarged liver and spleen. Other symptoms of vitamin A toxicity, explains UMMC, include impotence, trouble ejaculating and gynecomastia in men, a condition characterized by swelling of breast tissue.
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