Vitamin B6 deficiency

Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare, since most foods eaten contain the vitamin. Vitamin B6 deficiency is usually associated with poor absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract (as in alcoholism, or with chronic diarrhea), the taking of certain drugs (as isoniazid, hydrolazine, penicillamine) that inactivate the vitamin, with genetic disorders that inhibit metabolism of the vitamin, or in cases of starvation. Deficiency symptoms include itchy, peeling skin (dermatitis), cracked and sore lips, inflamed tongue and mouth (skin disorders similar to vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 deficiencies), neuropathy, poor coordination, confusion, and insomnia. Some of these symptoms can also result from a variety of medical conditions other than vitamin B6 deficiency.