I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: BigDadii on January 19, 2016, 09:28:11 PM

Title: Itching
Post by: BigDadii on January 19, 2016, 09:28:11 PM

I'm itching all over !!
Tell me how to stop ITCHING :pray;

Title: Re: Itching
Post by: PatDowns on January 19, 2016, 09:57:43 PM

Quote from: BigDadii on January 19, 2016, 09:28:11 PM

I'm itching all over !!
Tell me how to stop ITCHING :pray;

High phosphorous levels coupled with not enough dialysis number one cause of excessive itching.  On your monthly labs - does your phosphorous run between 3.4-4.6?  If not, are you taking your binders religiously with meals and big snacks?  Are you dialyzing at least 4.5 hours per treatment? 

Gabapentin is a medication prescribed to dialysis patients who experience constant itching problems.

Also, READ this previous IHD topic on itching:   http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=30708.msg477169#msg477169

Title: Re: Itching
Post by: Michael Murphy on January 20, 2016, 05:46:12 AM

For temporary relief try showering with water as hot as you can stand.  It causes the nerves to report heat, that masks the nerves sending the itch signal.  Long term the phosphorous reply is dead on.

Title: Re: Itching
Post by: kristina on January 20, 2016, 12:56:54 PM

Hello,
I always shower with warm (not hot !) water
and after my shower I always put some anti-allergic non-perfumed baby-lotion all over my body...
...That stops any itching "to come along" and if there is some itching during the day (very rarely though),
I just put a little cream on that spot and that takes care of that ... I certainly would never use hot water on my skin,
because hot water would only dry-out my skin and that would then be the cause of serious itching.
A dermatologist once told me that itching is the result of dry skin...
Good luck from Kristina  :grouphug;