What is Vitamin B7 deficiency?

Most people get enough biotin from the foods they eat. However, certain groups are more likely than others to have trouble getting enough biotin. Alcoholism can increase the risk of biotin deficiency and many other nutrients as alcohol can block their absorption, and also because alcohol abuse is generally associated with poor dietary intake. 

Common vitamin B7 deficiency symptoms:

  • Thinning hair
  • Hair loss
  • Scaly skin rashes around eyes
  • Scaly skin rashes around nose
  • Scaly skin rashes around mouth
  • Brittle nails
  • Weak muscle tone in infants
  • Sluggishness in infants
  • Delayed development in infants

What causes a vitamin B7 deficiency?

  • A rare genetic disorder called biotinidase deficiency
  • Alcohol dependency
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Further reading: Harvard School of Public Health, National Institutes of Health