Vitamin A Deficiency: Eye To Skin Irritation, 6 Symptoms That Are Tell-Tale Signs

Vitamin A deficiency: A lack of vitamin A especially affects children and pregnant women. However, it is an essential vitamin to improve eye health.

Vitamin A deficiency: Different nutrients in the body have different functions. Some cater to certain organs, while others cater to enhance the development of certain body cells and add to the overall development of the body. Among one of them is vitamin A. Why is it essential? Helps with cell growth, fetal development, and improves immunity and eye health. A diet rich in vitamin A is mainly recommended to improve vision naturally. In addition, it also helps to improve the superficial tissues of the skin, lungs, bladder, intestines, etc. Pregnant women, children, and new mothers are at higher risk of deficiency.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vitamin A deficiency is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from infections in childhood. It is also credited as “the leading preventable cause of childhood blindness in the world. It also leads to a poor pregnancy, puts children at risk of developing respiratory infections.

Here are signs and symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

1. Dry Skin: As the vitamin is vital for repairing skin cells, it also protects against inflammation. According to a report from healthline.com, eczema is a condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin, and vitamin A has helped reduce its effect.
2. Dry eyes: Various eye problems can be addressed by treating vitamin A deficiency. Lack of it can lead to corneal death, inability to produce tears, blindness, night blindness, etc.
3. Problems with reproductive health: Due to a lack of vitamin A, people may have trouble conceiving. It also helps in the development of the fetus, therefore its deficiency can hinder development.
4. Stunted growth in children: Vitamin A is one of the important nutrients for general development. Children who show signs of growth retardation may be deficient in vitamin A.
5. Frequent infections: Throat and chest infections are common in children due to a lack of vitamin A. They are more prone to developing respiratory infections that can become fatal for babies.
6. Wound healing: It plays an important role in all stages of wound healing. Vitamin A is known for its ability to stimulate epithelial growth. This is because vitamin A promotes the creation of collagen, an important component of healthy skin.