20 Cause of Petechiae and What You Need to Know About Them

Akanksha Sharma

14. Scurvy (Severe Vitamin C Deficiency)

African American man brushing teeth with toothbrush feeling toothache pain hurt sensitive bleeding. Photo Credit: Envato @jm_video

Though it sounds like something from a pirate movie, scurvy is very real—and still occurs today, particularly in cases of extreme dietary restriction. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which helps maintain blood vessel integrity. Without enough of it, capillaries break down, leading to petechiae, bruising, bleeding gums, and joint pain. Petechiae from scurvy often appear on the legs first and can spread upward. The good news? Scurvy is completely reversible with vitamin C supplementation. In as little as a week, patients can begin to see healing. It’s a stark reminder of how nutrition directly shapes skin and blood health.

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14. Scurvy (Severe Vitamin C Deficiency)

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