Dermatologic Manifestations of Nutritional Deficiency

Dermatologic manifestations of systemic diseases provide distinctive and reliable diagnostic clues that hasten time to intervention and improve overall outcomes. Notably, nutritional deficiencies are a class of diseases with representative and well-established dermatologic associations. Nutritional deficiencies can be primary or secondary and genetic or acquired; however, mucocutaneous findings remain characteristic irrespective of etiology. This review will summarize the major classifications of nutritional deficiencies with a focus on conditions relevant and of greatest impact to the geriatric population. Recent literature has largely supported the well-known, pathognomonic mucocutaneous findings associated with nutritional deficiencies as well as displayed atypical clinical presentations and elucidated pathophysiologic mechanisms, which increases awareness and expands the breadth of knowledge of these disorders. Total and specific micronutrient deficiencies can produce a vast array of mucocutaneous findings. These dermatologic manifestations of nutritional deficiencies are critical for all clinicians to recognize to enable prompt diagnosis and treatment. The geriatric population is specifically at-risk and attentiveness towards subtle signs of disease may substantially improve overall health outcomes.