ITCHING in UREMIA or Cronic KIDNEY FAILURE: Natural Care

Itching that occurs in chronic renal failure (uremia) is a very disabling symptom.

Now we will see treatments with natural products for uremic itching, its causes

and used therapies.

WHAT is UREMIC ITCH

It affects over 50% of patients, whether they are treated with extracorporeal or

peritoneal dialysis.  It greatly affects quality of sleep. Patients with itchy uremic

report that they cannot sleep at night and consequently experience drowsiness

during the day. Uremic itching, especially when it's untreatable, is a symptom

with devastating impact on the psycho-physical state of patient.

It can be followed by lack of strength, state of restlessness up to depression and is

associated with increased risk  of death.

Uremic itching is one of the most frequent, frustrating and potentially disabling

manifestations of skin disease in chronic uremic. This disability can be resolved with

use of natural remedies for uremic itching.

WHAT are the CAUSES of UREMIC ITCH

There is a link between nerve pathways that cause itching and those responsible

for pain. In fact, as for pain, a group of type C fibers responsible for conduction of this

stimulus was identified for itching. They are able to activate medullary neurons which

then transmit signal to thalamic area.

Type C nerve fibers are present in the deep layers of epidermis or in the dermo-epidermal

junction of skin, where they interact with mast cells. They influence production of

itching by releasing vasoactive peptides like histamine, IL-2, some proteases and

TNF. Natural remedies for uremic itching are possible and desirable in the  exclusive

interest of patients.

HOW UREMIC ITCHING IS TREATED in the TRADITIONAL WAY

Therapies usually used initially use polymethylmethacrylate membranes during dialysis.

Then, skin emollients or capsaicin creams are used (which cannot be applied to large

surfaces due to irritating effect). Subsequently, systemic treatments are carried out with

use of ultraviolet B rays (with potential carcinogenic effect on the skin).

Not so with natural solutions for itching in kidney failure.

Anticonvulsant drugs like gabapentin can also be used with possible side effects:

                                   1) Neurotoxicity up to coma.

                                   2) Agitation.

                                   3) Exophthalmos.

                                   4) Psoriasis.

                                   5) Pancreatitis). 

Moreover, results are unsatisfactory if, as already talk, more than half of the patients

continue to have itching, in addition to the heavy side effects. 

WHAT are the NATURAL TREATMENTS for UREMIC ITCHING

But, natural cures for uremic itching can be performed due to their effectiveness and

absence of side effects thanks to action of natural products like Calendula Officinalis

and Rhodiola rosea which have an anti-inflammatory, anti free radical and soothing

action.

   There are also other natural substances (flavoproteins and other coenzymes such as NAD

and NADP) that contribute to the restoration of mast cell metabolism with the rebalancing

of the physiological release of vasoactive peptides, the functionality of the immune system

and the consequent disappearance of itching. Therefore, natural solutions are not only

possible but advisable in the exclusive interest of patients.