The daily vitamin intake of the Swiss population seems to be good. In certain situations or population groups a vitamin or mineral salt deficiency is still possible. It seems more useful to show the different changes of the skin, mucous membranes, hair or nails in the various vitamin or mineral salt deficiencies than to enumerate the vitamins. In a first part, skin signs such as seborrhoic-dermatitis-like or acrodermatitis-enteropathica-like changes, perlèches, xeroderma, hyperpigmentation or less frequent skin changes e.g. edema, intertriginous or ichthyosiform lesions, are mentioned. The second portion then shows lesions of the mucous membranes which are seen in different vitamin or mineral salt deficiencies, e.g. glossitis, cheilitis, stomatitis, aphthous ulcers or gingivitis. In a third chapter the consequences on the hair as alopecias or hair shaft alterations are discussed. Finally, in the last section, the possible nail changes as dystrophies or discolorations are mentioned. A table with the functions and the daily recommended doses of the vitamins and some mineral salts is given.