Please tell me more about the effects of kidney disease on hair. I need to hear from you all. How about your skin?

[KGsrKGsr]

Hair and Kidney Disease

[novemberlady1]

I HAVE A LOT OF ITCHING BUT MY SKIN IS VERY DRY TOO

[medway-lady]

None sorry.

[drmind]

I went thru a spell when my hair got very dry and was breaking off. It was a shocker. I started to use a good hair conditioner and stopped using any hair spray which made my hair even drier. It helped. My hair has been thinning out for the past few years before CKD so I want to take care of what I have. Instead of Clairol Nice and Easy hair color, I began to use Clairol Natural Instincts hair color that has no ammonia and, i use it less frequently. As far as my skin is concerned: my arms and legs get very dry and i use St. IIves moisturizer and lotion that has collagen in it. I've used this name brand product for years, but I understand from multiple sources that all the Ceva lotions are the best.

Regarding itching: I get occasional spots of short term itching; however, I have very sensitive skin and always had this so I'm not sure its CKD related. Nonetheless, I do assume that overdoing potassium and being dehydrated can contribute to itching.

Gosh, hope this helps. Best to you all

[TaffyTwoshoes27 in reply to drmind]

I was told by my Neph that it is the high phosphorus levels that cause the itchy, dry skin. After getting on PD, phosphorus binders and using moisturizer more often, it is mostly abated.My most challenging lab issues (after 5 yrs on PD) are keeping my phosphorus within range (it gets .2 - .5% out of range) and keeping my albumin up to the clinic’s standard (4.0). I learned recently that the Transplant Hospital’s range starts at 3.5, which I usually can maintain.

It is always a balancing act and is difficult for me because I have always been a person who does not eat when stressed (as opposed to “stress eating”).

I’ve always disliked cooking and I am pretty sure that years of eating frozen, prepackaged microwaveable foods (like Marie Callander) exacerbated or attributed to my High Blood Pressure b/c of the high sodium content.

I’ve wondered which came first: the High Blood Pressure from my diminishing kidney function (and I always drank a lot of water) or if the high blood pressure actually caused the kidney dysfunction. I think the former is true, but I have never gotten a straight answer from the my Neph. I guess it doesn’t matter now. I have ESRD.

I quit drinking alcohol and stopped dying my hair. I try my best to limit any chemicals. I think there are enough chemicals in the air and other sources that it just isn’t worth it to me to add more chemicals to my ailing body.

[drmind in reply to TaffyTwoshoes27]

Thanks for that information. I agree that high levels of phosphorus may cause some of the itching and it sounds as if you have yours under control. About the frozen foods: there are several Lean Cuisine dinners that have only around 600 mgs of sodium. I always keep a few in the freezer for those times when I just don't want to prepare anything. They're not necessarily the ones I would enjoy most but are fine for the occasion. I was told by my kidney doctor that he "hypothesized" that my CKD came about from blood pressure issues; however, they would need to do biopsies to try to get a more definitive cause and I'm not needing to have this right now. I never really had very high blood pressure, but it may have been persistently in the high normal range while on low levels of medication. However, a few doses of antibiotics during the past two years have caused my gfr to drop and not go back. So, I'm very careful now about the impulsive use by doctors to prescribe them. My best to you with your diet endeavors. I know it can get to be a full time job. Keep us posted.

[TaffyTwoshoes27 in reply to drmind]

I never had high blood pressure until my early 50’s. I was always athletic and active. I’m sure smoking and social drinking didn’t help, but come to think of it, I took antibiotics quite often in my youth as a result of kidney (and other) infections - before the medical community started warning of over-prescribing antibiotics.

I have no family history of kidney problems. My brother has gout — which I read recently is a result of diminished kidney function dealing with uric acid (he has an alcohol problem, is overweight, has a CPAP machine for sleep). I’m glad I don’t have all those health issues!

I do have “emergency” frozen meals lower in sodium like you mentioned.

Funny….I always told my grandma from a young age I wanted to marry a rich man or a chef!! I am still single (I was a career woman),

Oh well. Hindsight! Take care!

[cyd1122]

‪+1 (218) 506‑0278‬This is a great doctor. He can help you.