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Can Kidney Infection Cause Severe All Over Itching?

Posted on Tue, 19 Aug 2014

Question: I have incredible itching everywhere. I have autoimmune disease, diagnosed as RA. Since January I have had kidney infections with emergency surgery due to blocked ureter with stones and presently have stones in Left kidney trying to pass. I am very agitated with frequent urination returned and remitting flank pain that isn't real bad. This itching is very bothersome however and feel UTI symptoms now. Last UTI was silent for a couple of months the Urologist said.. Can the itching have to due with Kidney infection?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Renal Pruritus

Detailed Answer:
hello and welcome,

I have read your history carefully.
Yes, the itching can be due to kidney disease but only if your renal function tests are abnormal as in Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).

Pruritus initially is given a 2 week empiric treatment to exclude a primary cause
1) oily soapy for bathing
2) emollients after bath
3) antihistamines

drug of choice in renal pruritus is ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Capsaicin is another choice , a substance P deplete that can be used topically

Please get a Urine culture and sensitivity test after a Urine R/E before starting any antibiotics to isolate the pathogen responsible for UTI.

let me know if you have any query
if not, please close the discussion and rate the answer.

thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D