Itchy Skin Could Be An Unexpected Sign Of Serious Kidney Disease

It might come as a surprise, but having itchy skin can sometimes point to a serious health condition involving the kidneys.

When left untreated or if it progresses despite medical care, itching or skin rashes can become one of the symptoms seen in more advanced stages of the illness.

That said, if you've noticed an unusual itch on your leg or elsewhere, there's usually no need to panic. 

Most of the time, itchiness comes from simple causes like dry skin, irritation, or a heat rash. It's far more common for itching to be harmless than a sign of a serious disease.

Still, for some people, especially those with ongoing kidney problems, constant itching can be a typical issue related to chronic kidney disease, or CKD.

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition where the kidneys no longer function as well as they should over time.

According to the NHS, it's quite a common health issue, particularly in older adults.

Although it can happen to anyone, CKD often progresses slowly. In rare cases, it can reach a point where the kidneys stop working entirely.

However, the NHS points out that this is not typical, and most people diagnosed with the condition are still able to live for many years.

There is no cure for CKD but treatment can relieve symptoms and stop it getting worse. Getty Stock

The majority of people living with CKD can manage their condition through medication and routine medical monitoring.

Statistics show that only about two out of every 100 people with chronic kidney disease will go on to experience full kidney failure.

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease

At first, CKD may not cause noticeable symptoms. That’s because the body can still function fairly normally even when kidney performance is reduced.

But if the condition isn't caught early or continues to worsen, several symptoms may start to show up.

These include losing weight without trying, a lack of appetite, swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles, difficulty breathing, constant tiredness, trouble sleeping, blood in your urine, needing to pee more often, itchiness across the body, muscle cramps, feeling queasy, frequent headaches, and for men, problems with sexual function.

When the condition reaches its advanced stage, it's referred to as kidney failure, also known as end-stage renal disease or established renal failure.

Itchy skin can be common for those with CKD. Getty Stock

Itchy skin and chronic kidney disease

The National Kidney Foundation explains that Pruritus is the medical term used to describe intense itchiness linked to long-term illnesses like CKD.

Experts still don’t fully understand exactly why it happens, but it’s believed that several internal changes caused by CKD may play a role in making the skin feel itchy.

When the immune system reacts to CKD, the body may start attacking itself, which can lead to inflammation. This, in turn, might cause the itchy sensation many people experience.

The National Kidney Foundation also highlights several possible reasons why Pruritus can occur in people with kidney disease:

• Dialysis might not be removing enough toxins and waste from the body
• There could be elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood
• A mix of high calcium and phosphorus levels may be contributing
• Too much magnesium or aluminium in the bloodstream might also be a factor
• Certain chemicals, like histamine, are released by the body’s cells and can lead to itching
• The sweat glands might shrink, leading to extremely dry skin, a condition known as xerosis
• Nerve damage related to CKD or advanced kidney failure (ESKD) can also be a cause

If you’re experiencing symptoms that don’t go away or are becoming more noticeable, and you’re concerned they could be linked to CKD, it's a good idea to speak with your GP.

You should also book an appointment if you're dealing with itchy skin that disrupts your day-to-day life, won’t improve, affects your whole body, or feels especially intense.