Guide To Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms

Poor Wound Healing

Vitamin A helps the body manufacture collagen, a major component of healthy skin. Deficiencies in this vitamin could lead to poor wound healing in some individuals. The amount of time it takes for a wound to heal depends on several factors, including the depth, location, and size of the wound. In healthy patients, it typically takes between one to four weeks for a wound to heal. Individuals who have a sore or cut following an injury should closely monitor the affected area for signs of infection, including warmth or skin darkening around the affected area, and medical care should be obtained if these occur. Immediately after the injury, the wound should be placed under running water before the area is patted dry with a clean towel. Antibiotic ointment should be applied, and the wound should then be bandaged with an adhesive bandage or a sterile gauze wrap. Patients will need to change the bandage at least once a day, and the wound should be checked for changes during this time. The bandage should also be changed any time it becomes wet or soiled, and more antibiotic ointment should be applied each time the bandage is changed. To improve wound healing, some patients like to apply manuka honey. Wounds that show no signs of improvement after one week should be assessed by a doctor, and wounds that don't heal after four weeks may require assessment by a wound care specialist.

Increased Breakouts

Vitamin A assists the body in fighting inflammation and in creating new skin, and patients who are low in this vitamin could notice increased breakouts. These breakouts are likely connected to the reduced inflammation-fighting capabilities and wound healing capacities of patients that vitamin A deficiency involves. Patients might notice more acne on the face and body, and breakouts may take longer to treat. Individuals who are concerned about these breakouts may want to ask their doctor for a blood test to measure their vitamin A levels, and the application of topical vitamin A creams could help speed up the treatment of existing breakouts and prevent new ones from occurring.