The NHS reports that approximately 1 in 6 adults in the UK have insufficient vitamin D levels, which can lead to rickets, bone pain, and disabilities. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, is essential for bone health and immune function. Most people get vitamin D from sunlight during spring and summer, as food sources are limited.
Official guidance recommends all adults and children consider taking a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement between October and March, with at-risk groups advised to supplement year-round. However, only 1 in 6 adults report taking a daily supplement.
Key Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency on Legs and Skin
Vitamin D deficiency can manifest in various ways, especially on the skin and legs. Identifying these symptoms early can enable swift treatment. Below are six key indicators.
Delayed Wound Healing
If you lack vitamin D, wounds may take longer to heal. Vitamin D is crucial for skin cell regeneration and wound repair. Research shows it supports production of compounds needed for new skin tissue. Slow-healing cuts or scrapes may signal deficiency. Chemist 4 U advises: "If you have a wound that won't heal, see your doctor. Whilst a vitamin D deficiency could be at fault, it's best not to make assumptions. Slow wound healing can also be a symptom of an infection, poor circulation or even diabetes."
Itchy Skin
Vitamin D deficiency can cause dry, itchy skin, potentially leading to eczema or psoriasis. Vitamin D helps preserve skin moisture. The Nutritionist explains: "Dry, itchy skin is often a sign of a vitamin D deficiency. As vitamin D is created through skin exposure to the sun and cholesterol in the skin, in the winter months, when sunlight exposure is less, people often experience dry, itchy skin attributing it to the cold weather. However, a vitamin D deficiency might be a more likely cause." In severe cases, autoimmune conditions like eczema and psoriasis can develop. Foods such as oily fish, eggs, and organ meat contain vitamin D, and topical vitamin D oils can help with redness and itching.
Eczema-Like Conditions
Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to eczema. Research indicates lower vitamin D levels are associated with more severe eczema symptoms. The National Eczema Society stated: "There has been some research into whether low levels of vitamin D trigger the development of eczema, and if taking supplements can improve symptoms. A key clinical review in 2015 proposed a link between eczema and lower levels of vitamin D, and found that vitamin D helped protect the skin barrier and suppress inflammation." A 2018 systematic review found that children under 18 with low vitamin D had more severe eczema, with 67% improving after supplementation. Recent research in the British Journal of Dermatology showed babies had a lower risk of atopic eczema if mothers took 25mcg of vitamin D daily from 14 weeks of pregnancy. However, overall evidence is insufficient to confirm vitamin D affects eczema development.
Dull Skin
The Centre for Surgical Dermatology notes: "Symptoms of deficiency may include dry, dull, or flaky skin. Vitamin D plays a vital role in skin cell growth and repair, making it essential for healing wounds or recovering from skin conditions like acne and eczema." While dry, lacklustre skin can signal deficiency, other factors like dehydration, poor nutrition, or lack of sleep may also contribute.
Leg Pain
Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness and bone pain, leading to leg discomfort. If you struggle to climb stairs or get up from a chair, it may be worth checking vitamin D levels. Serious deficiency can present as bone pain, muscle weakness, or bowed legs (rickets in children) and skeletal deformities. Yale Medicine states: "When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls."
Excessive Sweating
One of the earliest indicators of vitamin D deficiency is excessive perspiration, often missed. Profuse sweating, especially around the head and face, serves as an early warning sign. Vitamin D helps control sweat gland function, and insufficient levels can trigger overactive glands. Dr Stephanie Barrett explained: "It doesn't sound attractive and it probably doesn't feel it either. Sweating from the head is a classic first sign of vitamin D deficiency. Excessive sweating not in line with the temperature or any other related conditions should be investigated as it could be an increase of vitamin D is needed."
