Alternative Names & Classifications:
Phrynoderma (CLINICAL)
Description
Historically linked strictly to severe vitamin A deficiency, phrynoderma is now recognized clinically as a complex dermatological manifestation of multiple severe nutritional deficits, including essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and B-complex vitamins. The skin loses its ability to properly regulate exfoliation, causing excess keratin to harden and aggressively plug the hair follicles. This creates extensive, intensely rough patches of skin that physically resemble the bumpy texture of a toad's back.