It is tempting to scratch and the urge can be overwhelming at times, but this can break your delicate skin and cause bleeding or infections, so try to pat the itchy areas instead. This will give you some relief, while protecting your skins barrier.¹

Your skin makes its own moisturising barrier from natural oils, but soaking in water can strip off that layer and cause irritation. To keep your skin’s natural oils intact, try to take short baths or showers.¹

Try not to bathe more than once a day and use warm instead of hot water. This will stop your skin from drying out and becoming irriated.¹

Many foaming body washes and soaps remove the natural oils from your skin (even those that claim to be suitable for dry skin). Instead, try choosing moisturising creams or prescription bath oils.¹ Ask your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations on the best products.

Cool temperatures can give you temporary relief from the itchiness.² Try laying a cold flannel soaked in moisturising cream on your itchy skin, or apply moisturiser that has been kept in the refrigerator.¹

Hot temperatures can make your itch worse, so it can help to keep cool at night with lightweight bedding made of breathable fabrics and loose clothing that won’t make you sweat. If you feel hot during the day, use a fan to cool down.¹

If you have dry skin, your itch will feel worse. Using moisturising creams liberally can help to prevent dryness and scarring.¹

One of the jobs of the kidneys is to keep phosphate at the right levels as too much can lead to serious health problems.³ For people relying on dialysis, the kidneys can struggle to perform this job. Many foods naturally contain phosphate and high levels in your chronic kidney disease diet can cause or worsen your itching.^3,4 Following a low-phosphate diet can help you to manage your phosphate levels.
Try eating fresh, unprocessed foods.^3,4 For more help with your CKD diet, speak to a renal dietitian.