Kidney disease may not cause any symptoms or signs in its early stages. As it progresses, it can cause symptoms such as itchy skin, or pruritus, and a rash.
More than 37 million adults in the United States live with chronic kidney disease, but only about 10% know they have it. This is because the early stages of kidney disease do not typically cause symptoms.
As the disease progresses, it can cause general symptoms, including fatigue, frequent urination, and itchy skin. Because many of the symptoms, including itchy skin, are not specific to kidney disease, a person may only find out they have it through testing.
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Kidney disease can cause dry, irritated, and itchy skin, or “pruritus.” Healthcare professionals refer to itchy skin that results from chronic kidney disease as chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP).
Some experts may refer to this condition as uremic pruritus because of the buildup of toxic materials and chemicals that the kidneys typically filter out of a person’s blood. The kidneys cannot filter blood as usual if kidney disease has damaged them.
Like other symptoms, itchy skin and rashes may not appear in the early stages of kidney disease. Instead, they may appear when the minerals in the blood become unbalanced due to the kidney’s diminished filtering capabilities.
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, up to 84% of people with end stage chronic kidney disease develop pruritus. The authors state that recent advancements in dialysis treatments have helped bring the percentage down, but it is still around 40%.
Up to half of people experience itchiness on their entire body. Alternatively, it may affect only a certain part of the body, such as the face, back, or arm.
People with chronic kidney disease may not experience any skin symptoms, or they may have a rash, dry patches, and blisters. They may also develop skin lesions due to scratching itchy skin.
Iga Vasculitis (formerly Henoch Schönlein Purpura Or Hsp)
Anyone can develop skin lesions as a result of scratching their skin repeatedly, so appropriate treatment is helpful for preventing further damage to the skin.
People often do not receive a diagnosis for itchy skin in any stage of kidney disease. This may be partly due to differences in symptoms from person to person.
A healthcare professional may try to confirm the diagnosis with a skin exam or a review of dialysis numbers or by trying different topical treatments.
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Unless another underlying cause may be present, healthcare professionals may consider any instances of itchy skin in a person with kidney disease to be pruritis.
If a person is experiencing even infrequent itchiness, it is important that they report their symptoms to a healthcare professional so they can receive a diagnosis and begin treatment.
Treatment may include both systemic medications, which work throughout the body, and topical products, which a person can apply directly to the affected area.
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Healthcare professionals will typically start treatment with topical creams and ointments to help relieve itching. People may use emollients that moisten and soften the skin and analgesics that alleviate itching and reduce pain.
Experimental treatments include the use of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, more research is needed on their effectiveness for itchy skin in chronic kidney disease.
A person’s skin may itch at any stage of kidney disease, but itching is most common in advanced stages or during kidney failure.
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Symptoms often do not show until the later stages of kidney disease. If a person experiences one or more of these symptoms, they should consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Kidney disease can lead to itchy skin or a rash. This can occur at any stage of the disease but is most common in more advanced stages.
When it occurs, it may appear all over the body or in only certain areas. Some people will not see any signs of skin rash, such as raised bumps, spots, or blisters, while others may. Chronic and frequent scratching can lead to lesions and other sores on the skin.
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Board certified dermatologists can help in such instances to bring relief to the patient. They may use the right balance of medication and moisturizers for treating the skin. Certain patients may get relief with UVB phototherapy.
Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nugyen, provides safe and proven skin care procedures to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding locations.
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You may not notice early warning signs on the skin if you have kidney disease. However, the following conditions may develop as the disease progresses:
When kidneys stop working as they should, toxins tend to build up in the body. This can cause changes in the color of your skin. You may notice the following changes:
Your kidneys are responsible for removing extra salt and fluids from the body. Salt and fluids tend to build up when the kidneys can’t do this anymore. This can cause swelling, which may become noticeable in the:
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A rash can develop when the kidneys are unable to remove waste from the body. Extremely itchy and dome shaped bumps may appear on the skin of people with end-stage kidney disease. New bumps may form as the old ones clear. In some cases, small sized bumps may join together for forming rough and raised patches.
Lumps in the belly are usually seen as a sign of kidney cancer. Kidney cancer in the early stages seldom causes any symptoms. However, as the cancer advances, it may cause lumps on the:
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any lumps. Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, receives patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for innovative and advanced skin care treatments.
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