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 21, 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

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@rosemarya, Ive tried lotions and potions. I recently made a dr appt with an allergist but found out i have to cancel it because we dont have the money anymor for it. I have to reschedule it.

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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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Diane~I went to a dermatologist at Mayo. I too have had this itching for many years. In the past I have tried many creams of which none have worked. It feels like my nerves are on fire. I have to use ice packs to get relief. This visit I was offered a prescription for the compounded cream of amitriptyline, ketamine in vanicream. Mayo Pharmacy filled this. It is not covered by insurance. It cost me over $150. I was so desperate for relief I paid the price. Another suggestion from the doctor was to take Zyrtec daily and lastly put moisturizer on and cover it with a wet cotton shirt. The creams she thought best are Vanicream, Cetaphil and Cerave. My upper back and shoulders also are scarred up from scratching. It is like you become possessed and cannot stop scratching and it just gets worse. The diagnosis was Pityrosporium Follicutitis and neurogenic dermatitis. I hope this is helpful in finding you some relief.

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danybegood1 | @danybegood1 | Jun 21, 2017

@upnorthnancy,,, ive tried Sarna, zyrtec, Cerave and the other one. I guess i need a dr who doesn't have a stick up bis butt. Sorry for the crassness. I probably have less than 10 yrs, if that, left to live. Id like very much to not go out scratching myself to death.

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njcarolnjn | @njcarolnjn | Jan 8, 2018
In reply to @macarl "He didn't perform any tests. He just examined my skin as I recall. Perhaps he was..." + (show)
@macarl

He didn't perform any tests. He just examined my skin as I recall. Perhaps he was simply working on a hunch and followed the easiest and least expensive course of action to see if that would alleviate my symptoms. The antihistamine he prescribed was Amitriptyline. I found relief rather quickly.

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i dont believe that med is an antihistimine

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njcarolnjn | @njcarolnjn | Jan 8, 2018
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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i so feel your pain i have suffered and continue to suffer 5 years know and counting my pain management dr prescribed the above paided over 100 for it it did not work tjis is a neuropathy not allergy

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2011panc | @2011panc | Jan 9, 2018

@ EVERYBODY!!! Itch No More! I have found and used Aquaphor and Vaseline spray lotions and can finally reach THAT area between my shoulder blades! And more importantly, they work! I am so happy and had to share it with all of you. I certainly hope this information will help at least a few of you.

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ujeeniack | @ujeeniack | Jan 14, 2018

I use Allegra;other s use Aveeno or another steroid.

REPLY
njcarolnjn | @njcarolnjn | Jan 14, 2018
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

and that diagnosis is bull crap and we all know it THEY DONT KNOW

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Gaybinator | @gaybinator | Apr 8, 2018

I read the medical studies on pruritis as best I can. Some studies have shown benefit from capsaicin. There is an arthritis cream called CAPZASIN-HP. The problem is that the first week or so of using it burns! I used it on my healthy skin and it did burn, but not too uncomfortably. My husband hasn’t used it yet because of his thin skin, so I can’t say whether it works or not for pruritis.

The itch is usually attributed to high levels of phosphorus in those with impaired kidney function or on dialysis. However, phosphorus may be within normal range and still have the itch. We do home hemo-dialysis four times a week for a total of twelve hours - the Medicare standard.

My husband has no kidney function, as his transplanted kidney was killed by Keytruda. Ironically it was the immunosuppressants for the transplanted kidney which caused the Squamous Cell Carcinoma which the Keytruda has stopped for now. His last two PET scans were clear.

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2011panc | @2011panc | Apr 8, 2018

@gaybinator I have had the best relief from itching by using Dove Brand Body Wash for sensitive skin. I use an exfoliating nylon scrub towel in the shower and dab myself dry. If I am alone I apply one of the spray-on lotions immediately; either Aquiphor or Vaseline brands. If my husband is home he will apply Sarna for sensitive skin or a menthol lotion (Gold Bond or Wal-Mart brand) for me. I also have reduced my full showers to twice a week and just wash up my armpits, genitals and feet on the other days. I have heard bathing in baking soda, Epsom salts or oatmeal helps, but I don't like baths much and have not tried them. I have also had oatmeal soap recommended but have not tried that either. Your husband should be able to use anything I have mentioned because none of them are harsh. Prayers for comfort and healing.

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