| Author | Subject: itchy skin |
| Annette Madden | Posted At 15:53:40 08/09/2002 I am an ESRD patient and have been on peritoneal dialysis for 3 1/2 years. About a month ago I developed itchy skin with no apparent rash. My doctor says it's not my meds (I'm taking calcium, zocor, atenolol, levothroid for thyroid, nephocaps, iron). A site I found on-line says one of the long term side effects of rocaltrol is itchy skin. Does anyone out there have any info? This is very annoying and uncomfortable. My doctor will give me benzadrine, but I would rather not treat the symptoms without knowing the cause. Any help will be appreciated. |
| Beth Witten | Re: itchy skin (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 23:39:24 08/10/2002 Itching is a common complaint in dialysis. Common causes include uremia (not enough dialysis)and high PTH level. Some common treatments that work for some but not for others include: reducing phosphorus in the diet and/or increasing phosphate binders (if phosphorus is high), ultraviolet light therapy, capasicin cream that deadens nerve endings, moisturizing creams that have lanolin or camphor, and Aveeno baths. It's also possible that you have an allergy to something. A dermatologist should be able to evaluate your itching further and offer treatment recommendations. One thing that might help is to keep track of when the itching starts, becomes worse, or improves. If it occurs at specific times related to your PD treatment, be sure to mention this to your nephrologist, home training nurse, and to the dermatologist. |
| Pat Carson | Re: itchy skin (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 14:47:35 08/19/2002 I've had itchy skin for about 20 years. My kidneys failed suddenly in March 1999. I doubt that the itch was caused by my kidneys as I still have it from time to time, a deep burning itch that covers a patch of 1 to 8 inches and last for 30 to 60 minutes. There is no visible symptom. A skin specialist about 18 years ago had no explanation. Neither can the nephrologists find any reason for my renal failure. However, when my episcleritis, an autoimmune condition that affects the eyes, ceased with the onset of renal failure, I was not surprised that the ophthalmologist pronounced the renal failure as a transference of the autoimmunity. I suspect the itching is also autoimmune. Perhaps yours is too. The only relief I can find is cold packs to dull the pain. |
| AMY DUFRENE | Re: itchy skin (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 11:03:19 03/28/2003 I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT ITCHY ALL THE TIME. SHE START FROM HER KNEES, ARMS, HANDS, AND FACE. I FIND THAT SHE FOLLOWS THIS PATTERN MOST OF THE TIME. I TRIED BENADRYL AND CREAMS NOTHING IS WORKING. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM SHE CANNOT SIT STILL. THERE IS NO RASH NOTHING NO DRY SKIN ARE ANYTHING. CAN YOU HELP? |
| Beth Witten | Re: itchy skin (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 20:17:07 04/06/2003 The Life Options Rehabilitation Program provides information about kidney disease, symptoms, treatment, and rehabilitation options. A doctor is the best person to answer your question since there can be many causes for itching. You might want to look at Medline Plus for itching at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/itching.html. |