Question

Why do you itch with kidney disease?

Answer 1

Kidney diseases:

1. Kidney disease is caused when the kidneys fail and are unable to filter blood.
2. It results in the build-up of high levels of waste in the bloodstream and can be life-threatening.
3. Symptoms of this disease include weight loss, tiredness, blood in urine, itchy skin, muscle cramps, and headaches.
4. Itching is the desire to scratch the skin and is commonly found in people suffering from advanced chronic kidney disease.
5. The itching caused as a result of chronic diseases is referred to as uraemic pruritus.
6. Uraemia refers to the presence of excess urea in the bloodstream and pruritus refers to the itching sensation caused due to it.
7. Uraemic pruritus is common in people affected by end-stage renal disease and undergoing dialysis.