Extremely itchy skin is a common symptom of advanced kidney disease. The itch can range from irritating to life-disrupting. Your skin may itch all (or most of) the time.
Itching with kidney disease can be generalized, or it can occur in specific parts of the body. Common areas for this type of itching include the head, arms, back, and abdomen. It also tends to be worse at night, which can disturb your sleep.
Limited fluid intake: Your dialysis treatment removes extra water from your body, and your limited fluid intake between treatments can cause dry skin and trigger itchiness. Unmanaged phosphorous: Often, itching is caused by high blood levels of phosphorus.
You may notice a gray or yellow hue to your skin, areas of darkened skin, or an unhealthy pale tone. If you've had itchy skin for a long time and scratch often, you may also see yellowish, thick skin with bumps or cysts. Discolored nails—kidney disease can affect the look of your fingernails and toenails.
Common causes of itching
allergies or skin reactions. parasitic infestations – such as scabies. insect bites and stings. fungal infections – such as athlete's foot or vaginal thrush.
Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, multiple myeloma or lymphoma. Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster). Psychiatric conditions.
Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy. Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling). As you have fewer hormones at night, your skin could be itchy.
Blood Tests. Because your kidneys remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the blood, a doctor will also use a blood test to check your kidney function. The blood tests will show how well your kidneys are doing their job and how quickly the waste is being removed.
Extremely dry skin is common in people who have end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Itchy skin. Extremely itchy skin is a common symptom of advanced kidney disease. The itch can range from irritating to life-disrupting.
Patients with chronic liver disease develop systemic itch that significantly impairs activity and sleep. Often, it is not relieved by scratching itchy areas of the skin. Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) frequently suffer from pruritus in chronic liver disease2,3,4,5.
In general, your itchy skin should improve within weeks if you follow simple skin care steps. “If these changes do not bring relief and are distracting you from your daily routines or affecting your sleep, you should see your dermatologist,” Dr. Khetarpal says.
Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
Symptoms of itching with liver disease
Itching associated with liver disease tends to be worse in the late evening and during the night. Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch.
Dry skin is a common cause of itchy skin without a rash. In most cases, dry skin is mild. It can result from environmental conditions, such as low humidity and hot or cold weather. It's also sometimes caused by activities that can decrease moisture in the skin, such as bathing in hot water.
Common eye problems for people with kidney disease or who are on dialysis. Dry, red, and sore eyes that feel gritty. These symptoms may occur because of impaired blinking and tear formation, leading to dry eyes. Extra calcium and phosphate can also settle in the eyes and cause irritation.
Analyzing a sample of your urine (urinalysis) may reveal abnormalities that suggest kidney failure. Blood tests. A sample of your blood may reveal rapidly rising levels of urea and creatinine — two substances used to measure kidney function. Imaging tests.
Symptoms of acute kidney failure can include decreased amount of urine, fluid retention, confusion, nausea and chest pain. Symptoms of chronic kidney failure may include tiredness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, itching, restless legs, breathlessness, high blood pressure that can't be controlled and night-time urination.