Skip to main content
  1. Careers
  2. Resource Center
  3. About Us
  4. Contact Us
  5. Español
Thrive On
Fresenius Kidney Care
  • PatientHub
  • Community

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center
Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
    Try a detailed search

    Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

    1. About Kidney Disease
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
      3. Kidney Disease Stages
      4. What Is a Nephrologist?
      5. What to Expect with CKD
      6. Kidney Disease Management
      7. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
      8. How Kidneys Work
      9. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Treatments
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Dialysis Basics
      3. Benefits of Home Dialysis
      4. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
      5. Home Hemodialysis
      6. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
      7. In-Center Hemodialysis
      8. Transplant
      9. Insurance & Managing Costs
      10. Choosing Not to Treat
    3. Life On Dialysis
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
      3. Staying Engaged
      4. Staying Healthy
      5. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
      6. Tips for Loved Ones
      7. PatientHub
    4. Recipes & Nutrition
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Recipes
      3. Managing Your Diet
      4. Fluid Management on Dialysis
      5. Dialysis Diet Planning
      6. Cookbooks
    5. Thrive Central
      1. CKD
      2. Dialysis
      3. Diet & Nutrition
      4. Stories
      5. Wellness
      6. See All
    COMMUNITY
    PATIENTHUB
    HOME
    1. I Have Kidney Disease
    2. I’m Preparing For Dialysis
    3. I’m on Dialysis
    1. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Resource Center
    3. Recipes
    4. Request Patient Travel Services Information
    5. Sign Up for Our Newsletter

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center
    Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
      Try a detailed search

      Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

      1. About Us
      2. Contact Us
      3. FAQ
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      7. Español

      Need help? Call
      1-888-373-1470

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      1. About Kidney Disease
        1. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
          1. Symptoms
          2. Risk Factors
          3. Causes
          4. Diagnosis and Testing
          5. GFR Calculator
        2. Kidney Disease Stages
          1. Stage 1
          2. Stage 2
          3. Stage 3
          4. Stage 4
          5. Stage 5
        3. What Is a Nephrologist?
        4. What to Expect with CKD
        5. Kidney Disease Management
          1. Kidney Diet Basics
          2. CKD Medications
          3. Your Kidney Care Team
          4. Diabetes
          5. High Blood Pressure
        6. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
          1. Acute Kidney Injury Treatment and Recovery
        7. How Kidneys Work
        8. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
      2. Treatments
        1. Dialysis Basics
          1. How Does a Hemodialysis Machine Work
          2. Starting Dialysis
          3. Types of Dialysis Access
          4. Your Care Plan
          5. Dialysis Medications
          6. Monitoring Your Lab Results
        2. Benefits of Home Dialysis
        3. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. PD Access
          4. PD Training
          5. PD Monitoring
          6. Your Care Team
        4. Home Hemodialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. HD Training
          4. HD Monitoring
          5. Your Care Team
        5. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
        6. In-Center Hemodialysis
          1. In-Center Treatment Options
          2. What to Expect
          3. Types of Vascular Access for Hemodialysis
          4. Your Care Team
          5. How to Choose a Center
        7. Transplant
          1. Finding a Kidney Donor
          2. Considering Kidney Donation
        8. Insurance & Managing Costs
          1. Understanding Medicare Coverage
          2. Understanding Medicare Advantage
          3. Understanding Employer Plans
        9. Choosing Not to Treat
      3. Life On Dialysis
        1. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
          1. Managing Your Emotions
          2. Talking About Dialysis
          3. Intimacy
          4. Body Image and Dialysis
          5. Building Your Dialysis Support Network
        2. Staying Engaged
          1. Tips for Working While on Dialysis
          2. In-Center Activities
          3. Hobbies
        3. Staying Healthy
          1. Managing Your Time on Dialysis
          2. Dialysis & Exercise
          3. Weight Management
          4. Avoiding Infection
          5. Managing Multiple Conditions
          6. Fighting the Flu
        4. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
        5. Tips for Loved Ones
          1. In-Center Hemodialysis
          2. At-Home Hemodialysis
          3. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
        6. PatientHub
      4. Recipes & Nutrition
        1. Recipes
        2. Managing Your Diet
          1. Eating Well on a CKD Diet
          2. Eating Well on a Dialysis Diet
          3. Salt and Kidney Disease
          4. Potassium and Kidney Disease
          5. Phosphorus and Kidney Disease
          6. Talking With Your Dietitian
        3. Fluid Management on Dialysis
        4. Dialysis Diet Planning
          1. Kidney-Friendly Shopping
          2. Eating Out
          3. Holiday Diet Tips
          4. A Chef’s Advice | Chef Aaron McCargo on Kidney Friendly Meals
        5. Cookbooks
      5. Thrive Central
        1. CKD
        2. Dialysis
        3. Diet & Nutrition
        4. Stories
        5. Wellness
        6. See All
      1. Home
      2. Thrive Central
      3. CKD
      4. How Kidney Disease Affects Your Skin: Managing Rashes, Sores, and Itches
      Share:

      How Kidney Disease Affects Your Skin: Managing Rashes, Sores, and Itches

      kidneys
      Dry and itchy skin, sometimes referred to as cutaneous manifestations, is common among people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These symptoms vary from person to person and can range from irritating to unbearable. Some people may experience itchy skin in one centralized location while others may feel itchy all over their body. Learn about common ways kidney disease can affect your skin as well as tips for keeping your skin healthy.

      Why Does Kidney Disease Affect the Skin?

      Kidney disease can bring about certain physical changes, including changes to your skin. When living with CKD, your kidneys aren’t able to filter your blood as healthy kidneys would, causing waste and toxins to build up, which can leave your body feeling extremely itchy. The kidneys also have trouble balancing certain minerals including phosphorus. When your phosphorus levels get too high, it can cause your skin to be dry and irritated. In addition, kidney disease can lead to changes in your sweat glands, causing your skin to dry out.

      8 Common Ways Kidney Disease Can Affect Your Skin

      If you are living with CKD, you may experience one or more of the following changes to your skin.

      1. Rashes—can develop when your kidneys aren’t able to remove waste from your body. These rashes can present themselves as small, dome-shaped bumps and can be extremely itchy. The bumps can also form together, creating rough, raised patches on your skin.
      2. Dry skin—may occur causing your skin to feel extremely tight. Your skin may start to crack.
      3. Itchy skin—a common side effect of kidney disease that can range from irritating to life disrupting. If your skin feels itchy all or most of the time, consult with your doctor and dermatologist.
      4. Blisters—sometimes people living with kidney disease will develop blisters on their hands, feet, and/or face.
      5. Calcium deposits—damaged kidneys have trouble maintaining a healthy balance of minerals in your blood. Due to this imbalance, some people may develop calcium deposits under their skin. They typically appear near joints and are not painful unless they form within one of your fingertips.
      6. Swelling—a healthy kidney removes extra fluids and salt from your body. When your kidneys are damaged, fluids and salt can build up in your body, causing swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, hands, and/or face.
      7. Changes to skin color—the buildup of toxins in your body, when your kidneys aren’t filtering your blood as they should, can cause color changes to your skin. You may notice a gray or yellow hue to your skin, areas of darkened skin, or an unhealthy pale tone. If you’ve had itchy skin for a long time and scratch often, you may also see yellowish, thick skin with bumps or cysts.
      8. Discolored nails—kidney disease can affect the look of your fingernails and toenails. You may notice what is called “half-and-half” nails, meaning the top part of your nails is white and the bottom part is a reddish-brown color. You may also see a white band across one or more of your nails.

      7 Tips for Keeping Your Skin Healthy

      Changes to your skin can be frustrating and, if left untreated, can impact your quality of life. Review the following tips and start incorporating them into your daily routine to help keep your skin healthy.

      1. Monitor your calcium phosphate intake. It is important to take your phosphate binders as prescribed by your doctor to ensure your calcium phosphate levels stay in check.
      2. Follow a kidney-friendly diet. What you eat and drink—and how much—can affect your health. In addition to other benefits, eating a kidney-friendly diet can help you feel your best and keep your phosphate levels down, reducing skin irritation.
      3. Avoid scratching your skin. Scratching may provide short-term relief, but it often makes the itching worse and can damage the skin or cause an infection.
      4. Steer clear of products with strong perfumes. The perfumes in certain products can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation, so it is best to use unscented products.
      5. Wear comfortable clothing. Clothing made from cotton or other natural fabrics can be more soothing on your skin. Wearing loose-fitting clothes can also help because they don’t rub against your skin.
      6. Moisturize. Putting cream on at least once a day can help combat dry skin, relieving some of the itchiness you may be feeling.
      7. Avoid hot baths. Hot water can leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. It is also recommended to take showers instead of baths.

      When to Talk to a Doctor

      The above tips can help you keep your skin healthy, however, it is still important to discuss any concerns you may have about your skin with your doctor. If your skin is feeling itchy or irritated all or most of the time, talk to your doctor about possible medications or treatment options. If you wait too long to contact your doctor and seek help, your symptoms may get worse, and it may be difficult to reverse the progression.

      In fact, it is never too soon to talk to your doctor. Early detection of kidney disease can help prevent the progression of CKD and associated complications such as rashes, sores, and itchy skin. Discovering kidney disease in the early stages can help you take control of your health sooner and keep your skin healthy. By partnering with your doctor, you can develop a treatment plan to ensure you stay healthy and feel your best.
      cap-blue-small-fill

      TAKE A FREE KIDNEY HEALTH CLASS

      Learn how to live well with kidney disease and thrive. Choose the class format that fits your life—self-guided or with an educator.
      Sign Up Now

      Suggested topics


      MainIcon_testtube

      Managing Anemia and Chronic Kidney Disease: What You Should Know

      Did you know that anemia is a common side effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD)? If your kidneys aren’t working the way they should, it could affect your body’s ability to make red blood cells, causing anemia. Managing multiple health conditions...

      Read more
      iv-drip

      Managing Blood Sugar and Chronic Kidney Disease

      If you are living with diabetes and kidney disease, it is important to stay in control of your blood sugar so you can be your healthiest and avoid other...

      Read More
      medication_brandblue_icon-svg

      Medications to Avoid or Adjust If You Have Chronic Kidney Disease

      When your kidneys don’t function the way they should, prescription and over-the-counter medications can build up in your blood and may cause additional damage to your kidneys or other parts of your body...

      Read More
      Back to Top
      1. About Us
      2. Español
      1. FAQ
      2. Resource Center
      3. Contact Us
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      1. Website Privacy Policy
      2. Terms of Use
      3. Site Map
      4. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
      5. FreseniusKidneyCare.com Web Accessibility Statement
      6. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Data
      7. Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information
      • facebook
      • youtube
      • twitter
      • pinterest
      © 2016-2022 Fresenius Medical Care. All Rights Reserved.