What is pellagra?

Pellagra is a condition that develops when the body does not have enough vitamin B3 (niacin). Vitamin B3 can be obtained in the diet (in the forms of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide), and is found in foods such as milk, beans, eggs, and flour. Vitamin B3 can also be obtained by converting the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is found in proteins. The conversion of tryptophan to vitamin B3 can be slowed down by drugs such as isoniazid (a drug used against tuberculosis). Vitamin B3 is used for a number of important chemical reactions in the body.

Pellagra is treated by giving nicotinamide.

Photosensitivity Guide Index:

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• What is photosensitivity?
• What are some photosensitive dermatoses caused by drugs or other chemicals?
• What are phototoxic reactions?
• What are photoallergic reactions?
• What is photocontact dermatitis?
• What are genetic and metabolic metabolic photosensitive dermatoses?
• What is pellagra?
• Who gets pellagra?
• What are some signs and symptoms of pellagra?
• What are porphyrias?
• What are acute porphyrias?
• What are cutaneous porphyrias?
• What is xeroderma pigmentosum?
• What is Bloom syndrome?
• What is Cockayne syndrome?

• What are photoaggravated dermatoses?
• What is atopic eczema?
• What is psoriasis?
• What is lichen planus?
• What is lupus erythematosus?
• What is dermatomyositis?
• What is actinic folliculitis?
• What is disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis?
• What are acquired idiopathic photosensitive dermatoses?
• What is polymorphic light eruption?
• What is chronic actinic dermatitis?
• What is solar urticaria?
• What is actinic prurigo?
• What is hydroa vacciniforme?
• What is juvenile spring eruption?

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