Does anyone know of a remedy for the itching associated with dialysis? What causes it, anyway?

Usually, itching is associated with too much phospherus. You did not mention is this is a new patient to dialysis. If new, it sometimes takes a while to get used to the treatment and to remove the toxins built up over a period of time.

Good Luck
Walt

Yes..itching is usually related to phosphorus..so until your phosphorus is under control you will itch..there is a lotion called Sarna that will help greatly it is available in drugstores and by prescription so ask your doc...

Yes it's related to Phosphorus, (they say), but I've found it seems to be exacerbated by fluid removal. High flux is like tipping your house over to clean the carpets. Many things go that can't be accounted for. ( Enzymes, sugars, amino acids, all in the mid-molecule range).
There is no CURE for itching, but if you keep your skin extra-hydrated with a great moisturizer, you may find relief. I have less than moderate dryness and itching so I use Hawaiian Tropic" Aloe after sun moisturizer. Also, in the swoer, don't use a soap that dries. I use Oil of Olays body wash which leaves a discernable smoothe coat of whateveritistheyputintherebutit works.

Hi! ah yes the itching problem. Indeed related to phosphorus but also I find that if I come on with too much fluid I itch more afterwards because now my skin is dry again. Other things to look at is laundry soap, I found that when I used the second rinse on my washing machine it helpe or adding vinegar to the rince to get rid of extra soap.
Also cooler rather than hot showers, avoid the bath and pat dry before moisturize might help.
Good luck. Nancy

You might try Yardley's of London soups. I have always had dry skin and it is the only soap I can use.

I never thought exema (spelling ?) would have been a blessing, but I guess it was. Blood and itching are not too big a problem for me.

Hope it helps
jim
jrickel@fusionone.com

If your itch is a uremic or renal itch then it is not a surface itch ,and it will most likely not respond to topical creams or oils etc .
Renal itch is one of the most tormenting and common problems renal patients suffer , yet it seems to be one of the least understood and one of the least researched and very little sympathy is shown to sufferers . The company that comes up with a cure will make itself a fortune .

Even though diets are adhered to and levels are OK , thousands of people seem to still suffer from this affliction , and many suffer terribly .This is not a " you are doing something wrong " situation and don't let them tell you its because you are doing something wrong that you are itching. The fact is they don't know what causes it , if they did then they'd know how to cure it.

As a renal technician explained to me ( waste of time talking to doctors , you zero from them ) the kidneys were designed by nature and normaly do their job to perfection , and dialysis machines even though they are wonderful were designed by humans and are not perfect ,it may just be one molecule not being cleared properly that causes the itching and restless legs.

My wife is tortured day and night by renal itch , if there is a God and this is his/her doing then he /she can go take a long walk off a short pier as far as I'm concerned .

My scalp itches the most. Is there anything
to use that's specific for it?

srogers. Your itchy scalp may be from psorisi, which is condition that creates scaley patches, often on the scalp. You might try either Nutragena T-Gel shampoo, or a product that has tea tree oil such as Paul Mitchells Tea Tree Shampoo, or something that has nizoral (though this is generally harder on you hair), or a salon shampoo called REMEDY. Good luck
Nancy

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff Charles:

Does anyone know of a remedy for the itching associated with dialysis? What causes it, anyway?

The cause of the itching is the amount of phosphorous in your dailey foods, your kidney no longer cleans this out and the build-up causes awful itching, you can get a script for allergy med CLARITIN, or BENADRYL( causes drowsiness), to help control itching.Reduce intake of dark colored foods, read labels for foods containing phosporous.

In addition to the above remedies, I would like to add that if your skin is already dry (providing that is part of the problem) rinsing laundry in hard water will only exacerbate the problem. Clothes must be rinsed in softened water if possible, to rinse out all traces of laundry detergent. Also there are new detergents on the market that contain no perfumes and dyes. Mineral oil is an excellent, and inexpensive remedy for dry skin; it contains no irritating additives such as many of the more expensive lotions on the market. Even if phosphorus is the problem, having dry skin will only complicate matters.

My mother has been on dialysis for a few years now and I am aware of her itching problem. thank you for your question because I learned a great deal through the responses.

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff Charles:

Does anyone know of a remedy for the itching associated with dialysis? What causes it, anyway?

Hi fellow itchers.

Itching is a huge problem to me and driving me insane. I have been on haemo for 4 months now after a kidney transplant failed after 2 years. I've tried ever cream known to mankind. Nothing gives permanent relief.A skin specialist is going to try some ultra light treatment next week. Very expensive but I'll pay anything for some relief.I'll let you all know how it goes and exactly what it is when I find out more.
Keep well everyone.

In my case, the itching's caused by not being allowed to drink enough water to keep my skin healthy! It has nothing to do with my phosphorus levels.

When I get really itchy, I take a long hot shower. This shuts off the itchiness. I use moisturiing soap in the shower, and if I notice any dry patches of skin I put a moisturizer on after I dry off. Taking pounds of fluid off every other day puts a big strain on your skin as well as your heart.

My neph dr. has prescribed a phosphorus blocker to control the itching. This is a calcium tablet which I take before each meal. It works for me. Talk to your dr. or nurse about this. Good luck all you who are bothered by itching.