Vitamin B2 deficiency (Ariboflavinosis)
Linked to Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Low riboflavin shows up around the mouth, tongue, eyes and skin.
Where it shows on the body
Rotate the figure and click a red marker to see the affected area. Internal organs open a 3D organ model.
Causes
- Low dairy and animal-food intake
- Alcohol dependence
- Malabsorption
Symptoms
- Cracks at the corners of the mouth
- Sore, red tongue
- Sensitivity to light
- Skin flaking
- Sore throat
What happens if untreated
- Anaemia
- May worsen other B-vitamin deficiencies
Who is most at risk
- People with very limited diets
- Heavy drinkers
- Vegans without fortification
Prevention & sources
- Dairy, eggs, lean meat and greens
- Fortified foods
Correcting it: foods, amounts & timing
Foods that help & safe amounts
- Dairy, eggs, lean meat and green vegetables
- Fortified foods for vegans
Mouth and skin symptoms usually improve within a couple of weeks.
Sources & references
Symptoms overlap — testing matters
Most deficiency symptoms (fatigue, poor concentration, skin and hair changes) are shared across several nutrients and many unrelated conditions. A symptom on this page is a reason to investigate, not a diagnosis.
A GP can confirm or rule out a deficiency with a blood test and check for underlying causes such as absorption problems. Do not start high-dose supplements on suspicion alone — some nutrients are harmful in excess, and supplementing before testing can mask the underlying result.