Vitamin A toxicity can be caused by ingesting high doses of vitamin A—acutely (usually accidentally by children) or chronically (eg, as megavitamin therapy or treatment for skin disorders). Acute toxicity causes rash, abdominal pain, increased intracranial pressure, and vomiting.
What is most likely to cause vitamin A toxicity?
Some dietary supplements also contain vitamin A. Supplements are the most common cause of vitamin A toxicity. It tends not to occur just from eating vitamin A-rich foods. Too much vitamin A can make you sick.
How do you get too much vitamin A?
Too much vitamin A can have harmful effects (toxicity). For example, taking daily doses 10 times the RDA (recommended daily allowance) or greater for a period of months can cause toxicity. Sometimes toxicity results from taking special formulations of high-dose vitamin A to treat severe acne or other skin disorders.
How can you prevent vitamin A toxicity?
To avoid toxicity, steer clear of high dose vitamin A supplements. The UL for vitamin A applies to animal-based food sources of vitamin A and to vitamin A supplements.
How do you know if you have vitamin A toxicity?
Signs and symptoms of acute vitamin A toxicity can include: Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain. Neurological: dizziness, irritability, drowsiness, increased intercranial pressure due to cerebral oedema, and headache. Dermatological: rash or desquamation (peeling skin)
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