What is Uremic Itch?
Uremic itch is a severe itch that associated with chronic kidney and autoimmune disease. It is not fully understood what causes uremic itch, but recent research has noted some risk factors that can worsen symptoms. Some risk factors include:
- Insufficient dialysis (i.e. not often enough or for short periods of time)
- Dysfunction of the parathyroid glands, which are small glands in the neck that help regulate calcium levels in the body
- Elevated calcium or phosphorus
- Dry skin, or xerosis
- Elevated serum magnesium and aluminum concentrations
What are the symptoms?
Uremic pruritus often causes a severe itch that is present all throughout the body. However, it can more severely impact larger areas of skin, such as the back, arms, and legs. Look for symptoms such as:
- Worse itch at night, interrupting sleep
- Worse itch with heat and stress
- Itch that improves or worsens during dialysis sessions
- Normal or dry skin, but rarely a significant rash
- Signs of scratching, such as excoriations, heavily thickened skin, or nodules at sites of scratching
Common Questions
Is there a cure for uremic itch?
Aside from kidney transplantation, there is currently no definitive cure for uremic pruritus. Current treatment strategies are directed toward modifying the dialysis regimen, alleviating itch severity, reducing scratching behavior, and addressing any psychological concerns that may be caused by the patient’s itch symptoms and kidney disease.
For more information on treating itch in uremic itch visit our treatment page here.
For more information on treating itch in uremic itch visit our treatment page here.
Where does uremic itch come from?
Uremic pruritus is poorly understood, but the cause is thought to be related to kidney function and the immune system.
- The immune system may be attacking nerve fibers that send itch signals to the brain.
- Additionally, immune cells may be releasing signals that worsen itch, which is particularly during hemodialysis.
- Imbalances in your body’s neurological pain and itch sensation systems may cause increased itch sensation.
- Finally, kidney disease patients tend to have increased levels of calcium and phosphorus in their blood, which can further cause inflammation and worsened itch.
Is ultraviolet irradiation therapy used to treat uremic pruritus?
Ultraviolet (UV) therapy can be used to treat uremic pruritus when other treatments are unsuccessful at controlling the symptoms. UV therapy has been shown to be relieve itch and can be temporarily effective in the treatment of uremic pruritus. UV therapy should be used with caution, as side effects of UV treatment include skin damage, skin cancer, and eye damage. If UV therapy is recommended by your physician, ensure that it is used properly and safely.
Is uremic itch contagious?
Uremic itch is not an infectious disease; therefore, it is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another.
How is uremic itch diagnosed?
Because uremic pruritus is common in dialysis patients, laboratory testing is not routinely done for diagnosis. Telltale signs of uremic pruritus includes onset of itch during dialysis, persistent symptoms, or abnormal blood tests showing calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, or kidney dysfunction.