Do skin abnormalities occur with fat deficiency?

Essential fatty acid deficiency occurs with deficiency of linoleic acid, a precursor of arachidonic acid. It is seen primarily with malabsorption syndromes and with prolonged total parenteral nutrition. Skin findings consist of a periorificial or generalized dermatitis caused by increased transepidermal water loss due to loss of the barrier function of the skin. Periorificial dermatitis cannot be clinically differentiated from lesions seen in acrodermatitis enteropathica (see What is acrodermatitis enteropathica?). Dietary or intravenous linoleic acid supplementation is curative, although adults often respond to only topical application.

Smit EN, Muskiet FA, Boersma ER: The possible role of essential fatty acids in the pathophysiology of malnutrition: a review, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 71:241–250, 2004.