While it might not be what you expect, having itchy skin can be a sign of a serious organ disease.
Feeling itchy or having rashes can be a symptom of the later stages if it’s not found early or if it continues to get worse despite treatment.
However, before you start panicking that the weird itchy spot on your leg is a sign of something serious, it’s much less common to be a sign of a condition than it is because of dry or irritated skin or something like heat rash.
But, for some, itchy skin can be a common problem for someone with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What is chronic kidney disease?
This is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they should.
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The NHS says it’s common and often associated with getting older.
CKD can affect anyone and the condition can get worse over time. In some cases, the kidneys may stop working altogether, but the NHS says this is uncommon and many people with it are able to live long lives.
Most people with it are able to control their condition with medicine and regular check-ups.
It’s said that CKD only progresses to kidney failure in around two in 100 of those with it.
Symptoms of chronic kidney disease
In the early stages, CKD doesn’t tend to cause symptoms as the body is usually able to cope with a significant reduction in kidney function.
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However, if it’s not found early or gets worse despite treatment, a number of symptoms can develop.
These can include, weight loss and poor appetite, swollen ankles, feet or hands, shortness of breath, tiredness, insomnia, blood in your pee, an increased need to pee, itchy skin, muscle cramps, feeling sick, headaches and erectile dysfunction in men.
This later stage is known as kidney failure, end-stage renal disease or established renal failure.
Itchy skin and chronic kidney disease
The National Kidney Foundation says Pruritus is the general term for very itchy skin caused by a long-term disease like CKD.
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It is not fully known what causes it, but many changes in the body related to the condition may cause itching.
As your immune system launches a response to CKD, the body might attack itself, potentially causing it to become inflamed and itchy.
The National Kidney Foundation also lists other factors that might be related to Pruritus:
- “Not enough dialysis for proper removal of toxins and wastes
- High parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the blood
- A combination of high calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood
- High magnesium or aluminium levels in the blood
- Cells in the body release histamine and other chemicals that cause itching
- Shrinking sweat glands cause very dry skin, also called xerosis
- Nerve damage due to CKD and ESKD.”
If you have persistent or worrying symptoms that you think could be due to CKD, see a GP.
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If you have itchy skin that’s affecting your daily life, doesn’t get better, is all over your body or is severe, see a GP.
Jess Battison