Itchy skin, known as pruritus, is a common symptom in people with advanced kidney disease, particularly in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This condition is often referred to as CKD-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) or uremic pruritus due to the buildup of toxins that the kidneys fail to filter out.
The exact cause of itchy skin in kidney disease is not fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute:
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: The body may attack itself, leading to inflammation and itching5.
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: Signals sent to opioid receptors in nerve cells may be imbalanced, causing itching5.
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: Damaged kidneys cannot properly remove toxins, which can lead to itching4.
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: Shrinking sweat glands can cause very dry skin, known as xerosis5.
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: High levels of certain minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, or aluminum in the blood15.
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: Insufficient removal of toxins during dialysis can exacerbate itching25.
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: Can be mild to severe, affecting the whole body or specific areas like the face, back, or arms14.
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: Often worsens at night and can be affected by temperature, stress, or physical activity12.
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: Dry, scaly, or cracked skin with scratch marks and potential infections35.
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: Itching can disrupt sleep, mood, and social interactions25.
Treatment typically involves a combination of topical creams and systemic medications to manage symptoms and address underlying causes1. Reporting any itching to a healthcare professional is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Citations:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rash-kidney-disease-itchy-skin
- https://kidneycareuk.org/kidney-disease-information/living-with-kidney-disease/managing-symptoms/patient-info-itching-and-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/kidney-disease-warning-signs
- https://www.kidney.org/news-stories/itching-and-kidney-disease
- https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/pruritus-itchy-skin
- https://www.kidneyfund.org/living-kidney-disease/health-problems-caused-kidney-disease/pruritus-itchy-skin
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/symptoms/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease
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