Wack a Mole and itching

[Bassetmommer]

Does anyone else who is on dialysis feel like they are the mole in the game called Wack-a-mole. It is the game where the mole pops out of a hole and you are supposed to bop him on the head and then he disappears only to pop up in another hole. That's dialysis to me. I am doing HHD.

I am having terrible itching. It is all over. It started in the back on my head. It is worse at night. Then my back, my tummy and parts of my arms and legs itch. I take Benadryl at night and am using Sarna lotion and tea oil with menthol. It helps, but does not stop it.

When I told them at clinic, my Neph said it has nothing to do with dialysis. I could not believe it. It has everything to do with dialysis and it is very common. It is called CKD-aP.

"Due to this clinical variability, and because CKD-aP is a common condition in dialysis patients, providers should consider any itching in this population related to CKD-aP, unless there is a clear alternative explanation" ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

Curious if anyone else has this and what do you do? I see my dermatologist on Wednesday. Boy , it is annoying. Oh and before anyone says anything, my phosphorous is 4, my UN is 26, no anemia any more, and actually, I had the best labs I EVER had, including pre-dialysis.

[horsie63]

oh hell yes I have the itching and have scratched myself bloody. In my case it appears to be an allergic reaction to Brillanta.

Doc switched me to Plavix so we’ll see what happens with that.

I have read if your uric acid is high it can cause the itching but you’d have to test.

Good luck I hate this itching.

[Sapphire187]

I get the intense itching sometimes, but I am not on dialysis. It is so bad I literally scratch it until it bleeds. I actually have some scars from itching it so hard. It drives me absolutely insane and I haven’t found anything that helps much. I feel for you. I hope your dermatologist has an answer for you.

[drmind]

I'm not on dialysis, but I do get bouts of itching. Not sure if this could help, but I use Benadryl Gel which I keep in the fridge. It's ice cold when I rub it on and both the cold and the Benadryl help a little. I also notice that when I haven't drank my water quota for the day, I start itching. Hope you get some relief soon.

[mojito72]

I have had bad itching so my nephrologist put me on meds which have helped a lot. Meanwhile make sure your skin is moisturised and when the itching gets very bad try applying an ice pack - it worked for me.

[Bassetmommer in reply to mojito72]

What meds did they use? I tried two types of cream, one prescribed. Nope.. I was on Naltrexone, horrible, did not work. I am really covered with this rash. Nothing was working.

So I went to a basic. Vapor Rub. This works, if you can stand smelling like a sick five year old. It also is sticky. But it works the best. My Neph finally acquiesced and gave me a prescription for hydroxyzine HLC. It does not stop the itch but helps me sleep. Also Gold Bond powder with menthol in it helps.

[mojito72]

I have been prescribed Montelukast for itching, but I don't know if it good for everyone or safe when on dialysis. Best wishes.