1. An infection characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances, erythema (redness of the skin due to capillary dilatation, particularly of exposed areas) followed by desquamation (the shedding of the cuticle in scales or of the outer layer of any surface), and nervous and mental disorders: Pellagra may occur because of a poor diet, alcoholism, or some disease causing impairment of nutrition.
> 2. An endemic disease often attributed to eating diseased maize: Pellagra is found frequently among the peasantry of Southern Europe, especially in Lombardy.

The symptoms of pellagra are a reddening of the skin, which dries and cracks, and the epidermis that peels off in bran-like scales. The digestive organs and central nervous system can be affected.

Pellagra is commonly seen when corn (maize) is a main nutrient in the diet resulting in a deficiency of niacin.

Pellagra can end in insanity.