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Some kidney failure patients may experience dry or itchy skin during and after the treatment of renal dialysis. It is very discomfortable and patients often can not help but to scratch the itching part which can cause wounds or even infections.
It is necessary to know why dialysis cause skin itching so as to seek proper medicines and treatment to ease and control it. The main causes of itching for dialysis patients are dry skin, high phosphorus, high parathyroid hormone, allergic reactions. Based on the causes of skin itching, the following are medicines and therapies that can be used.
Phosphorus binders
Taking phosphorus binders can help prevent or stop itching. Even with dialysis, patients often have high blood phosphorus levels which is one major cause of skin itching. Phosphorus level should be maintained at 5.5 or less. Besides, avoid or limit phosphorus intake through proper diets can also help.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D supplement can help balance phosphorus and calcium levels in the blood, reduce the harms of high blood parathyroid levels so as to help relieve itching.
Antihistamines
Skin itching can be caused by allergic reactions to the dialyzer, blood tubing or medications. Talk with your doctor and tell him how you feel during and after dialysis so as to have some proper adjustments. Antihistamines can help treat allergies and relieve skin itching.
Medicated bath and itch-relieving creams
It is recommended that patients suffering from itching to have frequent bath or shower to keep their skin clean. Some itch-relieving creams can help maintain their skin moisturizing. Add some certain medicines to the water can help relieve itching.
Phototherapy
It has been found that sunlight can help treat itching. One study has found that 90% patients can have relief from skin itching after receiving ultraviolet light phototherapy.
Have a discussion with your doctors before you start any of the above mentioned medicines and treatments.
