About your kidney disease itch
From symptoms to causes and diagnosis – learn the basics of kidney disease itching.
Everything you need to know about
Kidney disease itch
What is kidney disease itch?
Itching is an unpleasant, common symptom associated with kidney disease that can make you scratch uncontrollably and damage your own skin, which can lead to bleeding and infections.1
Since everyone feels itch differently, it can be hard to identify. For some, the itch is constant, but for others it flares up during the day or night.2 Some people find their whole body is itchy, while others are affected on their face, back and dialysis arm. Things like extreme temperatures, stress, exercise and water can be a trigger.3
“ With the itching it’s like, is this ever going to stop? Will I ever have a day where I wake up and I’m not itching?”
– UK patient living with kidney disease4
So much more than ‘just an itch’, kidney disease itching is linked to a number of health conditions.2,5,6 That’s why it’s important to speak out and get help if you are suffering.
The medical term for kidney disease itching is ‘chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus’.3
How common is
Kidney disease itch?
Living with itch can feel overwhelming, but remember that you are not alone.
 of patients on dialysis in the UK... |
What causes
Kidney disease itching?
The exact cause of kidney disease itching is not known, but several factors play a part.3
Kidney disease can change the signals nerves send from your skin to your brain. If your nerves send too many signals or signals for no reason, it can cause itching.3
Chemicals that naturally occur in the body called opioids play a role in how your brain receives pain signals. Kidney disease patients may have an imbalance in how the body responds to pain signals which can lead to excessive itching.3
Kidney disease can cause an imbalance in your immune system which can lead to inflammation in your skin. This can cause chronic itching.3
If you are on dialysis and it is not working well, this can cause toxins to build up under your skin and cause itching.3
How is kidney disease itching
Diagnosed?
If your itch is affecting your life, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist right away.1
Itching can be caused by lots of different things, and no single test can confirm whether it is related to kidney disease.1,3 That’s why your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will use a process of elimination to find the root cause of your itch.1,7 If no other cause can be found, your doctor may diagnose you with kidney disease itch.1,3
kidney disease itching terms explained
There are lots of medical terms that you might read or hear which relate to your kidney disease itch. Here are the most common ones.
Chronic pruritus is defined by itching lasting 6 weeks or more8
A medical process which removes toxic waste products from the body when the kidneys are not working properly.9
The body’s natural defence system which protects it from infection.9
Long, thin fibres that carry information and signals between the brain and other parts of the body.10
Unwanted waste products found in the blood which are usually removed by the kidneys.9
Kidney disease itching is more than just an itch
From sleep quality to social life and mental health – find out how your itch can affect your life.2,5,6
Find out more