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Intense itching
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Trying2help posted:
My mother is 87 years old. She has stage 4 kidney disease and congestive heart failure, along with diabetes. The itching gets so intense at times that she is miserable awake and can't sleep for long due to the itching. Are there particular creams or ointments that seem effective. I've read about chickweed cream. Anything else?

Trying 2 help
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Intense itchingMy mother is 87 years old. She has stage 4 kidney disease and congestive heart failure, along with diabetes. The itching gets so intense at times that she is miserable awake and can't sleep for long due to the itching. Are there particular creams or ointments that seem effective. I've read about chickweed cream. Anything else? <br><br>Trying 2 help
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MrsCora01 responded:
Often the itching is due to high phosphorus levels. Do you know what hers is? Has she been checked recently? Try cutting back on dairy, legumes, and nuts as these are high phosphorus foods.

I had this problem while on dialysis (due to phosphorus) and found that the occasional oatmeal bath messy but helpful. I rinsed off afterwards and it was a pain to clean the tub though. She will need help.

Cora
Report This| Share this:Intense itchingOften the itching is due to high phosphorus levels. Do you know what hers is? Has she been checked recently? Try cutting back on dairy, legumes, and nuts as these are high phosphorus foods.<br /><br />I had this problem while on dialysis (due to phosphorus) and found that the occasional oatmeal bath messy but helpful. I rinsed off afterwards and it was a pain to clean the tub though. She will need help.<br /><br />Cora
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John-SKPT responded:
If she is not receiving dialysis therapy, as it seems from your note, then it might be time to consider it. There isn't really a good fix for the itching other than getting the bloodstream cleaned out. Even patients who receive treatment have trouble with itching, though it can get a lot better.

Aveeno Oatmeal bath does help, but like everything else for the skin it is only temporary and usually only partly successful.

Yes, at her age, with a cardiac complication, dialysis is is not easy and it is somewhat dangerous. But unfortunately there isn't really any technique that offers a more certain result.
Report This| Share this:Intense itchingIf she is not receiving dialysis therapy, as it seems from your note, then it might be time to consider it. There isn't really a good fix for the itching other than getting the bloodstream cleaned out. Even patients who receive treatment have trouble with itching, though it can get a lot better.<br /><br />Aveeno Oatmeal bath does help, but like everything else for the skin it is only temporary and usually only partly successful.<br /><br />Yes, at her age, with a cardiac complication, dialysis is is not easy and it is somewhat dangerous. But unfortunately there isn't really any technique that offers a more certain result.
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John-SKPT responded:
I forgot to mention: there are phosphate binders to take orally. If she isn't being prescribed something in that category, get with the nephrologist and ask.
Report This| Share this:Intense itchingI forgot to mention: there are phosphate binders to take orally. If she isn't being prescribed something in that category, get with the nephrologist and ask.
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