Many people don’t know that kidney disease can cause skin problems. But for people living with this condition, having itchy skin and rashes is very common and can be very uncomfortable.
Our kidneys help keep us healthy by cleaning the blood, getting rid of extra water, and balancing minerals in the body like calcium and phosphorus. When the kidneys are not working properly, waste and extra minerals stay in the body. This can cause many problems, including skin irritation.
One of the biggest complaints from people with chronic kidney disease—especially those in the later stages or who are on dialysis—is itchy skin. This problem is called pruritus. But what causes it?
The main reason is that waste builds up in the blood. Usually, healthy kidneys clean out this waste. But when kidneys don’t work well, these harmful substances stay in the body and can make the skin feel itchy.
Dry skin is another reason for the itching. When the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body are not balanced, the skin can get dry and even more itchy. These two problems—waste in the blood and dry skin—make the itching worse.
Studies show that many people on dialysis suffer from itchy skin. For some, it’s a small problem. But for others, it can be so bad that it makes it hard to sleep or causes stress and sadness. In fact, for many patients, itchy skin becomes one of the most difficult parts of living with kidney disease.
Treating the itching isn’t always easy. Creams and lotions may help a little, but they don’t fix the real cause. One of the best ways to help reduce itching is to keep phosphorus levels under control.
This can be done by eating a kidney-friendly diet, taking special pills called phosphorus binders, and getting the right amount of dialysis. New medicines are also being tested that are made to help with this specific kind of itching, and some are showing good results.
Scientists also think the immune system plays a role. When someone has kidney disease, their body may build up substances that cause inflammation. These can affect the nerves in the skin and make it feel itchy. This new idea has helped researchers create new treatments that try to block these irritating substances.
Good skin care is also very important. People with kidney disease should use gentle soaps, avoid long hot showers, apply moisturizing creams every day, and try not to scratch the skin to avoid more irritation or infection.
In short, itchy skin is a common but often forgotten part of kidney disease. It can really affect how someone feels and how well they live their daily life.
But by understanding what causes the itching and finding better ways to treat it, doctors and patients can work together to improve comfort. New research is giving hope to many people living with this painful symptom.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about High blood pressure drugs may affect kidney health and findings of Effective home remedies for kidney infections.
For more health information, please read studies about important cause of kidney disease and Cruciferous vegetables may reverse kidney damage in diabetics.
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