Itch on right shoulder

[Snoopy53]

Anyone experience an itch on a certain part of their body? I have had it for years and I can't seem to get any answers from doctor. It comes and goes and there is no rash. Does it have to do with CKD? I am currently at Stage 3 for three years.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Itch can be related to CKD. Usually it is later on at a lower GFR. It can be many things. But usually it presents all over, not in just one spot. I would see a dermatologist to see if it is eczema or something else first.

[TableTennisMama]

Wow I had forgotten all about it but I had the exact thing happen to me last year and it lasted for a few months. It was an itchy spot about 2 in.² on my right shoulder. On the front of my right shoulder. I did go to my dermatologist and he could see nothing. I couldn’t see anything either but it was quite annoying while it lasted. I had forgotten all about it because it just went away after a while. I am stage 3B. My last EGFR was 31 I believe.

[Snoopy53 in reply to TableTennisMama]

Yes thank you. I've had it for a few years off and on. It's puzzling because it seems to be beneath the skin.

[Darlenia]

It could be early stage psoriasis which isn't visible, staying hidden, while it ebbs and flows. I have that on certain, specific places on my body. I have to remind myself to simply stay patient, not touching it since that stirs up the itching. (My son also has psoriasis which is visible.) My husband, who has gone through all stages of CKD, had the CKD rash which covered his shoulders and back - it was distributed rather evenly over those areas and was very visible.

[WildIris]

It sounds like hives. There's a feedback loop: when you scratch, it registers as a mild injury and mast cells in the area just under the scratch release histamine, which makes the itch worse, and round and round. I have fair skin, and a few seconds after I scratch, a red line appears there. Antihistamine gel applied to the scratch works well to stop the itching, as does not scratching, so you could try that. Anyway, at your stage of CKD, its probably not toxins in your blood from bad kidneys, just a natural skin response to rubbing or scratching.

[CuriousCKD]

Hi. In my own experience, I have had one spot on my back close to my shoulder blade. It never breaks outs, just an intensely deep itch that comes and goes. I have been told, in the past, that it is probably a nerve that perhaps gets irritated. Scratching it usually helps, but it’s always in the same place. This may or not be your situation, but as Bassetmommer suggests, it’s something to ask your physician about.

[Snoopy53 in reply to CuriousCKD]

Thank you for your response. Yes. I am beginning to think that's what it may be. Any research I've done online points to it being a nerve issue

[renegade70 in reply to CuriousCKD]

i am in stage 3 and also have pruritis. it is much worse in the winter , so im sure it has something to do with cold weather and the dry heating systems in many places, but im also pretty sure it goes further than that. it is not just in one place but all over my body. i have used various creams which seem to work for a very short time..i do not seem to have it when outside but as soon as i come in it will start. iam not kept awake by it at night .i am a 71 year old male. i have read that the cause is pretty much unknown , however there is a belief that it has to do with high levels of parathyroid hormone which i have had as of my last labs in 12/24. it also may be related to high phosphorus levels.i will speak with my nephrologist further at next appt. in march.

[allene7]

I have some itching but it's all over because I'm stage 5 so that is typical. Not sure about your situation. You could try icing it. Putting ice on it should trick the brain so the itch goes away. I've used ice for itches unrelated to CKD. Good Luck.

[Snoopy53 in reply to allene7]

Thank you. I will try that

[CuriousCKD]

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