Vitamin B12 is present in some foods such as meat, fish, poultry, milk and eggs. Most people usually get enough vitamin B12 in their diet, with the exception of some vegetarians, particularly vegans who don't eat eggs or dairy products. Fortified cereals and supplements are other ways to get vitamin B12. Elderly people and people who have HIV may also suffer from a vitamin-B12 deficiency. The deficiency may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, nervousness, and tingling in the fingers and toes. Skin diseases may also develop.
Specific Skin Diseases
Specific skin diseases related to vitamin-B12 deficiency are skin lesions associated with hyperpigmentation and vitiligo. With hyperpigmentation, the skin appears darker. Vitiligo has the opposite effect and causes irregular, white patches to form on the skin. While all races can acquire vitiligo, it is most noticeable in people who have dark skin. If a person has either of these conditions, healthcare providers may overlook vitamin-B12 deficiency as a cause because these conditions are not specific to vitamin-B12 deficiency, according to Dr. Rajendran Kannan in a case report published in the "Canadian Family Physician" journal. In this report, Kannan highlights two cases whereby vitamin-B12 deficiency was the sole cause of skin lesions.
First Case Study
The first case was of a 34-year old woman, not a vegetarian, who complained of hyperpigmentation lesions on the toes of both her feet. She noticed the lesions developing over the course of 1 1/2 months before seeking treatment. After testing, her examiner discovered that she had a low vitamin-B12 level. Subsequent treatment was vitamin B12 injections and a prescription of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 to be taken daily. Her lesions improved two weeks after treatment.
Second Case Study
The second case was of a 54-year old woman who was a lacto-vegetarian. She developed skin lesions on her neck, elbows, wrists and heels and went in for treatment after having had them for four months. Dermatitis creams had not help her. Her lesions were nonpigmented. Once treatment of vitamin B12 injections and daily oral vitamins of B1, B6 and B12 began, this woman's lesions disappeared in a month.
Conclusion
Skin lesions are a less common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency; nevertheless, they could be one result. Skin lesions that do not improve could be a sign that you have vitamin-B12 deficiency, according to Kannan's case studies. There have not been too many reported cases of skin lesions due to vitamin B12 deficiency, but Kannan points out that another report by Aaron et al found similar cases of skin lesions being related to vitamin-B12 deficiency. If you have skin lesions and no other symptoms, there is a possibility you may have a vitamin-B12 deficiency, and you should be tested for it.
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