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Itching affects thousands of people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) yet remains one of the most overlooked and least discussed symptoms. It is more than a minor irritation. For many, itch is unbearable as it disrupts sleep, affects mental health, and lowers quality of life.  

To help raise awareness and encourage conversation about CKD-related itching, The Kidney Foundation of Canada has some new resources available.  

Often referred to as CKD-associated pruritus, itching can occur at any stage of kidney disease and presents differently for each person. It ranges from mild and intermittent to severe and persistent, with or without a rash. For this reason, many people do not report itching to their care team and often don’t realize that itching may be connected to kidney disease. This leads to significant delays in recognition and management. 

An awareness video highlights the lived experience of a hemodialysis patient with CKD-related itching. Alongside that, a downloadable fact sheet provides a short and easy-to-read overview of itching in CKD. These resources are part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve education and awareness about symptoms of CKD to empower patients to seek the care they need. 

Access the Puritis Itching and CKD fact sheet here:
Itching and Chronic Kidney Disease