Does Skin Rot Occur with Uremia?

After contracting uremia, the skin may experience decay. Uremia is a syndrome that consists of a series of clinical manifestations that occur when chronic renal failure enters the terminal stage. Due to the loss of kidney function in uremic patients, the metabolic products and toxins in the body cannot be expelled, and accumulate in large quantities in the body, leading to water-electrolyte imbalance, acid-base imbalance, and lack of nutrition in the skin, resulting in skin damage. The following are some manifestations:

1. Water-electrolyte imbalance: As the glomerular filtration rate decreases in uremic patients, the urine secreted by the renal tubules decreases, leading to water and sodium retention. This water and sodium retention can cause hypertension. When hypertension is difficult to control, it will lead to thinning of the vascular walls, lack of nutrition in the skin, and phenomena such as dry skin, desquamation, and skin ulceration.

2. Acid-base imbalance: Due to the imbalance of the renal tubular acid-base balance regulation system in uremic patients, there is abnormal metabolism of bicarbonate in the renal tubules, resulting in hypokalemia, hyperchloremia, and hypophosphatemia. These can cause cellular metabolic disorders, leading to dry and desquamating skin.

3. Lack of nutrition in the skin: Uremic patients are prone to symptoms such as poor appetite and indigestion, which can lead to insufficient nutritional intake. When lacking in vitamin A and vitamin E, symptoms such as dry skin, desquamation, and itching may appear.

When uremic patients experience skin damage, they should promptly visit the hospital for examination and treatment after identifying the corresponding cause. Uremic patients can choose methods such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation for treatment. In daily life, they should pay attention to maintaining cleanliness and dryness of the local skin, avoiding scratching with their hands to prevent aggravating skin damage.

Uremic patients often experience negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. During this time, they can communicate more with family and friends and participate in outdoor activities to distract their attention.