In the journal BMJ Case Reports, doctors have suggested that the disease may be caused by people not obtaining enough vitamin C due to the cost of living crises, obesity, and ultra-processed foods.
The study discusses a case that was initially covered by The Times about a middle-aged man who arrived at a hospital in Perth, Western Australia, with bruising on his legs and an inexplicable, painful rash.
Mystifying staff, blood tests and scans ruled out a number of other infections and illnesses.
After a few days in the hospital, it was discovered that he barely consumed any fruits or vegetables and mostly survived on processed foods.
He was diagnosed by doctors with scurvy, which, if left untreated, can cause lethal hemorrhage.
Dr. Andrew Dermawan, the report’s author, stated: “Especially in wealthy nations, scurvy is still viewed as a disease of the past. Scurvy does, however, occasionally occur, particularly in the elderly, alcoholics, and youngsters with mental or developmental issues.
