1. < Kidney & Bladder

Itchy skin

Posted by Candy @megwill100, Sep 21, 2016

Tonight I woke myself up clawing at my skin from top to bottom, does anyone have the itchy skin with their CKD? If so what do you use to control it? I'm allergic to benadryl so I can't take it.

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danybegood1 | @danybegood1 | Jun 13, 2017

@beverlynm, thank you so much for the information. I will look into it. Im getting scars now too. My back and shoulders, and my nausea so bad. I dont understand why i dont lose weight. Thanks, Diane

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 14, 2017
In reply to @beverlynm "Hi, I'm new here, and have CKD with Lupus. I had the horrible itching problem head..." + (show)
@beverlynm

Hi, I'm new here, and have CKD with Lupus. I had the horrible itching problem head to toe for over a year. It drove me nearly insane and I have scars from scratching. After being hospitalized and getting my potassium and phosphorus levels under control, the itching is almost gone! I believe I have read that extreme itching can be a side effect of the high blood phosophorus levels. I take a phosphate binder for now and avoid all dairy and foods with high phosphates. Hope you get some relief soon.

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@beverlynm, I am happy for you that you have found the cause and especially relief of your itching! What good news and what a relief this must be for you:-) And before I go on, I want to welcome you to Connect. We are about sharing and supporting each other, but it sounds like you already know that. Thank you for sharing this information with us.
I once had extreme itching, but for another reason (liver disease) and I know how awful it is! My family said that I looked like a bear when I rubbed my back against my favorite doorway scratching post!

I am sorry that it took a hospitalization for you to get a diagnosis for the cause. Do you mind if I ask you a question? with CKD do they routinely check for potassium and phosphorus levels?

I hope that you continue to maintain your protocol for relief. And I wish you successful treatment and containment of your CKD.
I would like to invite you to look at some of our other discussions. And please know that you are most welcome to join in anywhere with questions, or comments, or just to offer words of encouragement to any of us.
I look forward to meeting you again, soon.
Rosemary

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 14, 2017
In reply to @danybegood1 "@Beverlynm, thank you so much for the information. I will look into it. Im getting scars..." + (show)
@danybegood1

@beverlynm, thank you so much for the information. I will look into it. Im getting scars now too. My back and shoulders, and my nausea so bad. I dont understand why i dont lose weight. Thanks, Diane

Jump to this post

@danybegood1, I am sorry to hear that you are in this health dilemma. I hope that this information might lead your medical providers with an option to consider.
In the meantime, have you tried any of the lotions mentioned by some previous 'itchy responses'?
Hugs, Rosemary

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2011panc | @2011panc | Jun 14, 2017

The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a great deal. Since my biggest problem area is my back where I cannot reach, I am able to reach all areas of my back with this towel. It has an exfoliating effect and is made up of what looks like netting similar to what might be used on a veil, but coarser. I found mine at Wal-Mart near the other loofahs, they come in teal green or light purple and measure about 8x18". The package is only about 4x6". I use mine over my entire body with Dove moisturizing body wash. I started using this about a month ago and noticed immediate improvement. My itching sores are nearly gone and I am much more comfortable. It works for me, maybe it will work for someone else if you want to try it.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 14, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a..." + (show)
@2011panc

The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a great deal. Since my biggest problem area is my back where I cannot reach, I am able to reach all areas of my back with this towel. It has an exfoliating effect and is made up of what looks like netting similar to what might be used on a veil, but coarser. I found mine at Wal-Mart near the other loofahs, they come in teal green or light purple and measure about 8x18". The package is only about 4x6". I use mine over my entire body with Dove moisturizing body wash. I started using this about a month ago and noticed immediate improvement. My itching sores are nearly gone and I am much more comfortable. It works for me, maybe it will work for someone else if you want to try it.

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@2011panc, That sounds like an awesome discovery for you! I no longer (fingers crossed) am dealing with the itch, but I feel like I want to get one for myself. Thanks:-)
Rosemary

REPLY
2011panc | @2011panc | Jun 14, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a..." + (show)
@2011panc

The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a great deal. Since my biggest problem area is my back where I cannot reach, I am able to reach all areas of my back with this towel. It has an exfoliating effect and is made up of what looks like netting similar to what might be used on a veil, but coarser. I found mine at Wal-Mart near the other loofahs, they come in teal green or light purple and measure about 8x18". The package is only about 4x6". I use mine over my entire body with Dove moisturizing body wash. I started using this about a month ago and noticed immediate improvement. My itching sores are nearly gone and I am much more comfortable. It works for me, maybe it will work for someone else if you want to try it.

Jump to this post

You are most welcome. It suds up extremely well, I was surprised.

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 14, 2017
In reply to @2011panc "The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a..." + (show)
@2011panc

The "itchy" posts intrigue me. I have found a loofah-type towel(washcloth) that has helped me a great deal. Since my biggest problem area is my back where I cannot reach, I am able to reach all areas of my back with this towel. It has an exfoliating effect and is made up of what looks like netting similar to what might be used on a veil, but coarser. I found mine at Wal-Mart near the other loofahs, they come in teal green or light purple and measure about 8x18". The package is only about 4x6". I use mine over my entire body with Dove moisturizing body wash. I started using this about a month ago and noticed immediate improvement. My itching sores are nearly gone and I am much more comfortable. It works for me, maybe it will work for someone else if you want to try it.

Jump to this post

I found one. It's pink 🙂

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jun 19, 2017
In reply to @beverlynm "Hi, I'm new here, and have CKD with Lupus. I had the horrible itching problem head..." + (show)
@beverlynm

Hi, I'm new here, and have CKD with Lupus. I had the horrible itching problem head to toe for over a year. It drove me nearly insane and I have scars from scratching. After being hospitalized and getting my potassium and phosphorus levels under control, the itching is almost gone! I believe I have read that extreme itching can be a side effect of the high blood phosophorus levels. I take a phosphate binder for now and avoid all dairy and foods with high phosphates. Hope you get some relief soon.

Jump to this post

Welcome to Connect, @beverlynm,

Thank you so much for joining this discussion and especially for sharing such valuable insight. I found an article related to CKD and severe itching, in one of the scientific journals, which might interest you, as well: http://bit.ly/2rOxKm2

@beverlynm, we look forward to getting to know you better; when were you diagnosed with kidney disease and lupus?

REPLY
Nancy | @upnorthnancy | Jun 21, 2017
In reply to @predictable "Hi @megwill100! I'm a little surprised to see your concern about itching in the Kidney and..." + (show)
@predictable

Hi @megwill100! I'm a little surprised to see your concern about itching in the Kidney and Bladder discussion, yet nothing seems to get less enduring attention than the itch. Maybe that's because itching seems to be far more discomforting than it is hazardous. In my case, the cause of interminable itching is still unknown, and we're not doing anything right now to identify the cause. In this discussion, we've dealt with chronic kidney disease and allergy histamines -- apparently without much success.

We started instead with the standard dry air of winter as the cause, despite the excellent humidifier on my heating system. No luck. Then we checked out soaps, both laundry and personal bath soap and shampoo and cosmetics, looking for the ingredient Isothiazolinone (a "biocide" or pesticide that soap manufacturers add to extend shelf life by preventing biochemical reactions -- the name is usually prefixed by such chemical signs as "metho-," "benz-," "octyl-," or "chloromethyl-"). A non-allergenic soap helped somewhat, but not enough.

So a dermatologist took a look, threw in the towel without any contact tests, and prescribed: an anti-itch salve to eliminate the symptoms, but only for a few weeks before it's limit on extended use kicked in. After that, the final tactic in the sequence has been shorter, cooler showers along with skin moisturizer lotions. Waiting now for Spring and higher humidities in the atmosphere. Fortunately, the itches are less intense and limited now to arms, legs, and belt line. If it continues in the summer, we'll take another pass at my kidney disease and histamine sensitivity with contact tests of my skin this time.

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Just got a compounded medication from a dermatologist at Mayo MN. Cream is vanicream with amitriptyline and ketamine in it for itching.

REPLY
danybegood1 | @danybegood1 | Jun 21, 2017
In reply to @predictable "Hi @megwill100! I'm a little surprised to see your concern about itching in the Kidney and..." + (show)
@predictable

Hi @megwill100! I'm a little surprised to see your concern about itching in the Kidney and Bladder discussion, yet nothing seems to get less enduring attention than the itch. Maybe that's because itching seems to be far more discomforting than it is hazardous. In my case, the cause of interminable itching is still unknown, and we're not doing anything right now to identify the cause. In this discussion, we've dealt with chronic kidney disease and allergy histamines -- apparently without much success.

We started instead with the standard dry air of winter as the cause, despite the excellent humidifier on my heating system. No luck. Then we checked out soaps, both laundry and personal bath soap and shampoo and cosmetics, looking for the ingredient Isothiazolinone (a "biocide" or pesticide that soap manufacturers add to extend shelf life by preventing biochemical reactions -- the name is usually prefixed by such chemical signs as "metho-," "benz-," "octyl-," or "chloromethyl-"). A non-allergenic soap helped somewhat, but not enough.

So a dermatologist took a look, threw in the towel without any contact tests, and prescribed: an anti-itch salve to eliminate the symptoms, but only for a few weeks before it's limit on extended use kicked in. After that, the final tactic in the sequence has been shorter, cooler showers along with skin moisturizer lotions. Waiting now for Spring and higher humidities in the atmosphere. Fortunately, the itches are less intense and limited now to arms, legs, and belt line. If it continues in the summer, we'll take another pass at my kidney disease and histamine sensitivity with contact tests of my skin this time.

Jump to this post

@upnorthnancy, hi. My name is Diane. I have been itching since the early 2000's. Im crying as i write to you. Very depressed. How in the world did you get your dr to prescribe Ketamine? Thats a street drug. My effing doctors wont even prescribe xanax. I asked again for the last time and was told no. Flat out no.i swear i dont want to die but i can understand why some people kill themselves. My upper back and shoulders are getting full of scars. I dont know what else to do.

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