"Battle Scars"
If you have been a chronic dialysis or a kidney transplant patient for some time, you probably have some "battle scars." These could result from surgery to implant your vascular access, peritoneal dialysis catheter, or from a kidney transplant.
Bear in mind that such scars are normal. Maybe it would help for you to consider them as symptoms or signs of the battles against kidney disease you have fought and won. And remember that, no matter what your body looks or feels like on the outside, you are the same wonderful you inside.
Skin Color and Bruising
While some skin problems can be hardly noticeable, others may be a blow to your body image. When waste products begin building up in your body, there could be changes in your skin color. Your skin may take on a gray/yellowish tinge or it could darken.
Bruising of the skin may occur if you have too high a dose of heparin. It may also happen if the blood level of platelets (a.k.a., clotting cells) is lower than it should be. Too few platelets may cause bleeding gums. Prednisone or blood thinners like coumadin may also increase bruising.
An Itching Question
If you are a long-time dialysis patient, the chances are up to 95% that you have had problems with itching skin. If you do, ask your doctor if you have higher levels of phosphorus in your blood. The extra phosphorus can bind with the calcium and cause a buildup of itchy, sharp crystals. You may be able to alleviate this problem by taking your phosphate binders with food.
Not getting enough dialysis could be a cause of itching. So could dry skin as well as possible allergies to medications, detergent, the dialyzer, bloodlines, or bags as well as bleach on the dialysis chair. If itching occurs only when you are on dialysis, ask your doctor about a possible allergy. One particular type of heparin may make you itch. If the cause is bleach on your dialysis chair, cover the seat with a towel and/or alert your dialysis staff to the problem.
Some over-the-counter (OTC) lotions such as coconut oil may alleviate the itching. Ask your doctor about lotions or an antihistamine that could help.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?
"Yes and no," or "not necessarily." Since hair consists of protein, if you become malnourished, as many dialysis patients do, your hair may be prone to break more easily and fall out. Eating enough good protein will help, but it takes about three months before the hair begins to grow back. Ask your renal dietitian about good protein sources.
There are even some patients who have reported hair loss when their units changed the type of dialyzer they use. You can also ask your doctor to check your thyroid and protein (albumin) levels. Consult your hair stylist for tips on how to hide thinning hair.
Other Hairy Causes
Poor nutrition, zinc deficiency, the side effects from some medications, thyroid problems, and other hormone imbalances can affect your hair. Always check with your doctor for an evaluation and if there are any OTC hair growth medications that are safe for you to take.
Blood pressure and transplant medications can also make the hair on your face and body grow more than you may want. Ask your healthcare professional about ways of removing unwanted hair growth, and never stop taking your BP or transplant medications with talking with your doctor first.
Other Information
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Last Updated February 2007