The kidneys filter blood by removing waste and excess water.
They keep a delicate balance of minerals in the body while also releasing hormones and managing blood pressure.
The accumulation of waste products in the blood causes skin changes and rashes.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Chronic kidney disease often leads to itchy skin.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
How Does Kidney Disease Affect the Skin?
There are several ways in which chronic kidney disease (CKD) can affect the skin.
Itchy Skin (CKD-aP)
Kidney disease can cause some seriously itchy skin calleduremic pruritus.
“Uremic” refers to a high level of waste products in the blood from poor kidney function.
“Pruritus” is another term for itching.
CKD-aP does not cause a rash, but the skin can become red and irritated from the constant scratching.
CKD-aP varies in how severe the symptoms can be.
Dry Skin
People with kidney disease can also havedry skin, sometimes calledxerosis.
There are fewer skin lipids and an overall decrease in skin moisture content.
It’s not common but may be seen in people with kidney failure who are not on dialysis.
Swelling, also callededema, occurs from the buildup of fluid in the body.
The swelling can happen anywhere but is more common in the feet, legs, and hands.
If it becomes significant, the skin can look shiny and tight.
APD affects up to 11% of people receiving dialysis treatment.
How the rash develops is not quite understood by researchers.
An APD rash is itchy, with firm, dome-shaped skin growths.
Fluid-filledblistersand the thickening and darkening of the skin can also occur in people with kidney disease.
There may be an underlyinghyperparathyroidism(overactiveparathyroid glandactivity) involved with these symptoms.
With end stage renal disease, these deposits also can affect the lungs and other organs.
How Are Kidney Skin Issues Diagnosed?
For those on dialysis, there’s a higher risk of certain skin cancers.
For those who receive kidney transplants, there’s a higher risk of various cancers.
CKD-aP
Improved dialysis approaches may help with CKD-aP.
Cannabinoids show promise with CKD-aP but more research is needed.
Acquired Perforating Dermatosis
There is no known therapy for which clinical trials provide evidence of their benefit.
Summary
Kidney disease is a condition that can affect the whole body.
These rashes have raised red areas, white bumps, or cause itching with no visible rash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Itching from kidney disease can be anywhere on the body.
People with uremic pruritus tend to be itchy on their face, back, and arms.
Calcium deposits can create itchy bumps on the fingertips and around joints.
The rash from kidney disease can have white bumps on the fingertips and near joints.
It could also produce raised dome-shaped nodules.
Kidney disease symptoms tend to be gradual, happening slowly over time.
Because of this, the symptoms can easily be missed.
One of the first symptoms to show up is swelling.
Other symptoms can include urine changes, fatigue, headaches, and itching.
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