Many people on dialysis suffer from dry skin. Let's take a step-by-step look at what you can do about it and how dry skin and itching are connected.
What is dry skin and how does it develop?
The kidney has many different jobs and affects many different systems in your body. For this reason, many people on dialysis also often experience skin changes. For example, dry skin and itching are very common. Dry skin affects approximately 60-85% of people on dialysis. Skin dryness occurs when the fat and moisture regulation of the skin is out of balance. Normally, special skin glands (=sebaceous glands) produce their own "fat cream", also called sebum, which protects the skin from drying out. With dialysis, it can happen that the production quantities here get out of balance.
Even if the skin seems very thin, it consists of several layers. The outermost layer is formed by so-called horny cells (=corneocytes). The "seams" between the cells are filled with proteins and lipids. Together with the proteins and especially the fats in between them, the horny cells prevent our body from losing too much water through the skin. In addition, they ensure that our skin can withstand quite a bit of impact and other external influences. If this "protective barrier" is no longer intact, the skin can also become dehydrated.
So if your skin feels rough, brittle or cracked, it's a sign that your body's own cream (sebum) isn't enough and the skin barrier is no longer fully intact. In other words, there aren't enough proteins and fats in the "seams" between skin cells.
Why is regular skin care important for me?
The skin is the largest organ of your body and serves as a protective barrier for your body. For example, your skin protects you from pathogens, sunlight (=UV radiation), shocks and also helps regulate your body temperature and water balance.
If your skin is too dry, it can no longer maintain these protective functions so well. The skin quickly reacts to external influences with cracks and small wounds. But the good news is: you can actively support your skin by supplying it with oil and moisture. We'll take a closer look at exactly what you can do later.
How does dry skin affect my itching?
You already know that itching is a common symptom in people on dialysis. It can be so severe that sufferers injure their own skin by scratching uncontrollably. But how are itching and dry skin related? Skin dryness is not in itself a direct cause of itching. Nevertheless, chronic itching often occurs in connection with dry skin. From a purely medical point of view, one speaks of chronic itching when the itching lasts more than 6 weeks.
Skin dryness can aggravate the already existing itching. In addition, you have already learned that dry skin is particularly susceptible to wounds. Therefore, you should make sure that your skin is sufficiently moisturized and greased, especially if it is already itchy. This is the best way to prevent injuries caused by scratching! Either way, you are doing your skin some good by keeping it moist.
What can I do about dry skin?
So now you know how skin dryness occurs and why you should avoid it. But let's take a look at what exactly you can do against skin dryness. To keep your skin from drying out, moisturize it at least twice a day and be sure to apply sunscreen regularly. This generally applies regardless of the season. You should use moisturizers especially after bathing or showering and before going to bed. "Moisturizer" is an umbrella term and can describe various things:
- Emollients: improve the protective barrier, texture and appearance of the skin. They mainly contain fats.
- Humectants: bind water in the upper layer of the skin. Ingredients are mainly urea, panthenol and hyaluronic acid.
- Occlusive agents: usually very thick agents. They do not moisturize the skin directly, but form a layer over the skin. In this way, they physically prevent water from evaporating from the skin. These mainly include oils, waxes, or zinc oxide as ingredients.
Colloquially, moisturizers mainly refer to emollients and humectants. You can best find out which products make the most sense for you and your skin by consulting your medical team. If necessary, your doctor can also prescribe creams that are specially mixed for you in the pharmacy and sometimes also contain active ingredients.
As you can see, even though dry skin is a common symptom of people on dialysis, it can be managed with the right care. In the long run, you'll find that healthy skin will also have a positive effect on your itching! In any case, ask your dialysis doctor and care team for advice.
