Is skin peeling a reaction to dialysis?

[graftgurl]

Hi all!   
I have been having a problem with the skin on my hands peeling terribly. It's not just a small problem either. As soon as one layer peels off, another one (or two or three) begins to peel again. I have tried all kinds of different lotions to treat it and/or prevent it. I've even gone as far as putting vaseline on my hands and wearing cotton gloves or wrapping them in SaranWrap at night. Even that didn't help. The skin around my nails gets so dry that it cracks and bleeds and it hurts really bad. I look like I'm molting   
I had attributed it to several things, but as I removed them from the picture, the peeling continued. Now I am at a loss and the only other factor I can see is that it might be a reaction to the dialysate they use. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you treat it or prevent it? It is only going to get worse as the weather becomes cooler and so I would like to nip it in the bud     before that happens.

[Chris]

I'm sure someone will post, but I think I saw this in the forum before where someone had a reaction to the dialysate and switched to another type. You'll probably start getting replies and have a few inputs to go by, by Monday

[Sluff]

Here is another thread on the subject.  http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=7945.msg116978#msg116978  hope this helps.

[Wallyz]

If you had a rash before it started peeling, it also may be a reaction to the heparin.

[graftgurl]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will check out the other thread and see what it has to say. 

WallyZ, I did not have a rash before hand. In fact, I have had heparin many times before with no problem, so I don't think that is the problem. It was a good suggestion though. No rash anywhere for that matter.

Later 

[kidney4traci]

I have very dry skin too, but also have thin skin.  I barely have to hit something and my skin will bleed.  And it leaves scars too.  A skin doctor tested my porferins (sp?) and said that was a problem.    I didn't have this problem before dialysis.   I guess I am not very helpful, just whining...

[graftgurl]

kidney4traci, whining is allowed and you found the perfect place for it. I had the bleeding problem when I was on blood-thinners, but it quit when they stopped them after dialysis for a couple of weeks. I was bleeding from the needle sites for hours after they were taken out. It was very disturbing. Much better now, though. If I can find out what is causing this peeling on my hands then maybe I can be alright for awhile.

[Katey]

I am so glad to see this thread as my sheets are covered with my dried skin every morning.  I have used baby oil, all kinds of lotion and nothing has worked.  I have only been on dialysis again for about a month so I hope this goes away once ive been on the machine longer!!

[pelagia]

I suggest trying a lotion that has colloidal oatmeal as one of the ingredients.  Personally, I also recommend staying away from petroleum products in favor of something with gentler ingredients, like safflower oil.  One brand we use is Nature's Gate Colloidal Oatmeal Moisturizing Lotion.  My husband used it when he was having major skin problems associated with dialysis and it helped with some of the discomfort.  It seems to form a bit of a protective barrier on the skin.  It's not something I can see or notice after I put it on.  But then when I get in the shower I can feel it rinsing off my skin as I wash.  Sounds a little strange, but think about what's left in the pot after you cook old fashioned oatmeal.  Anyway, I've had dry skin problems my whole life and I find it very soothing.

[graftgurl]

Katey, you are not the only one who wakes up to flakes of dead skin on your sheets. I find it everywhere and become dismayed when I try on clothes at stores (especially dark colored ones) and my skin stays behind. I have had trouble with it my whole life but it has gotten much worse since I hit early menopause. My skin has also become much more sensitive. I don't know if I can blame the whole of it on menopause, though. I have had diabetes for 37 years and my heels crack easily, especially in winter. Now that I have started dialysis, the cracking has increased and the peeling/cracking of my hands has started.   

I have found a little relief to help with the cracking/peeling by using a product called Flexitol Heel Balm. The company also makes creams and balms for hands, dry skin, and nails/cuticles. It contains just about every ingredient on the market that is supposed to help extremely dry skin - 25% urea, in a specially formulated base to maximize its efficacy. The combination of moisturizing, hydrating, emollient and occlusive properties make it highly effective. I really like it to treat and possibly prevent the cracks. but I'm not sure it is working very well on the peeling. I guess it would help to figure out the cause before finding the best way to treat it.

Pelagia, Is the Nature's Gate oatmeal lotion similar to Aveeno? I have tried Aveeno and it works pretty well for just dry skin, but does not prevent it from occurring. I love to use it on my feet in summer because it is somewhat lightweight for the amount of moisture/hydration it provides. Alot of the balms/lotions I have tried are only appropriate to wear at night under socks.     Thanks for the suggestion though. I will have to try it and see how I react to it. Soothing sounds wonderful - the skin over my graft where they put bandaids after dialysis, is really irritated and there is a rash/extremely dry skin/blisters where the adhesive was. It itches terribly! I have tried other things like paper tape which has the least amount of adhesive but it doesn't matter. I have to have something to apply some pressure on the needle holes because I tend to bleed for awhile, even after apply manual pressure for 20-30 minutes. It would be great if the oatmeal lotion alleviated the irritation. Benadryl only helps for about an hour and then it itches all over again. Of course, you are only supposed to use it 4 times/day and that is not nearly enough for me.

[pelagia]

Pelagia, Is the Nature's Gate oatmeal lotion similar to Aveeno?

I am allergic to most all of the widely available skin products, including Aveeno, Neutrogena, etc.  Mostly they make my eyes water, but I have never figured out what the troublesome ingredient(s) is.  I also have a problem with face creams.  I buy the Nature's Gate products at a supermarket that has a health food/ "natural" products. It's not super heavy, so it probably wouldn't be much good on cracking and peeling skin.  A massage therapist told me to mix an equal amount of safflower oil and olive oil in a dropper bottle to use to avoid cracking heals (put a few drops on hand, rub on heel and let it soak in).

[TynyWonder]

OMG!!!  My eyes about fell out  of my head when I read this topic because I too, have been experiencing my skin peeling but SO FAR it has only been 2 of fingers on my left hand but for me, the worst part is, when these 2 fingers get cold or if I use my left hand much, these fingers begin to throb and will hurt for what seems like forever!!!   Funny, you mentioned Vaseline because I tried that as well.  I am going to my surgeon on Wednesday for a follow-up visit and I am going to ask her about my fingers AGAIN because the 1st time I asked her, she just told me to keep a band-aid on it.   The reason I feel the need to ask her is because the left hand is the same place/arm that she just put in a new graft.    (which has not even healed enough yet TO USE and the surgery was done, September 4th)   Remind me to let you know what my surgeon says, if she even says anything.  However, if anyone else has any more ideas, I would love to hear them too!   GREAT TOPIC!   

[Lori1851]

Stay away from perfume in lotions also. I use to buy Lubriderm for my son.
Lori/Indiana

[G-Ma]

tyny...be careful with vasaline...one of my sons is allergic to vasaline..skin comes off...we found this out when he was small and I used to put loads of vasaline on to prevent rashes etc and boy did we have problems until we found out mother's care was the problem.....

[BRANDY]

I have been meaning to ask the question if anyone fingertips peeled but thought it was a stupid question   I am predialysis and have started peeling about 1 month ago  guess it has somthing to do with ckd      they dont bleed yet   so they arnt that bad.  thanks  just my input

[TynyWonder]

Brandy, my fingertips have peeled and 2 different times............one time was when they first started to form blisters on them & then the skin got better and then now it seems they only peel when I have kept a band-aid on them for an extended period of time.  Also, I wanted to let everyone know that I did go and see the surgeon today and I did ask her AGAIN about my fingers and she did say that it *might* have something to do with the graft being put in the same arm & because my veins are soooo little that I might have to just "deal with" some numbness (which I am also feeling) and then she told me to just keep Neosporin on both of them.  I don't know about your fingers but my fingers also feel callused (i hope i spelled that right) and they each have a blister on them; therefore, when I bump them, Lord it feels like someone has smashed them with a hammer!  God!   It hurts!!!  I also asked my hematologist and he too, just said too put Neo on it.            Anywho, tomorrow would not be soon enough for this situation to end!

[G-Ma]

That sounds terrible tyny...there has got to be a resolution to this...keep nagging the Dr.
Ann

[pelagia]

Gosh tyny I don't think neosporin sounds like much of an answer to that problem with your fingers.  It's sounds very uncomfortable.  Can't offer any solutions, but here's a 

[monrein]

http://www.steadyhealth.com/Peeling_and_sore_fingertips_symptoms_t53692.html

Tyny, here is a link to a site that talks about peeling fingertips.  They suggest some possible causes (fungal infection, vasculitis).  Be sure to scroll down and check out the related sites which are listed by topic.


I googled  'dialysis fingertip skin peeling' and found this.  I hope it can help you narrow things down a bit and maybe offer some questions you could ask a dermatologist about.  I think you need a dermatology referral.

Hope this gets resolved for you.  It sounds very painful. 

[TynyWonder]

WOW!   OK Monrein!    Thanks a bunch and it just so happens that I have an appt. to go to my dermatologist, next Tuesday, the 18th so I will for sure show them these fingers as well!   I have not yet went to the website you listed but I will most definitely, before my appt. w/the dermatololgist.  Thanks again!

[TynyWonder]

Well, Monrein, I just wanted to let you know that I did go ahead and go to that website and WHOA!   I found it to be very informative and I will definitely be bringing up a couple of the things that were mentioned on the website, to my dermatologist on Tuesday.   That seems like a neat website to bookmark anyways!    Thanks again!

[monrein]

   You're very welcome.

[TynyWonder]

One more thing, yes, it does hurt like h*** especially when I bump it in the middle of the night, when I am trying to sleep!   

[graftgurl]

Here's an update:

The peeling has gotten worse and spread to most of my palm on both hands. The skin on my feet is now beginning to do the same and I'm really not looking forward to that. I will get the nurse at dialysis tomorrow to find out from the dr. if this is common and what he suggests I do about it. I have tried everything under the sun for it and had mixed results. Nothing works to both prevent it and protect what skin is left. I have not had the opportunity to check out much of the website you recommended Monrein, but I will have some time tomorrow and I will try to read thru it. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Always, Graftgurl ...yawning (Hey moderators!! We need a yawniing smiley!!

[TynyWonder]

Let us know what your clinic says, graftgurl!  Thanks!