9. Persistent Itching Without a Clear Cause
It started as a mild itch for Emma, 58, after her nightly shower. She tried new lotions, changed soaps, even blamed the winter air. But the itching grew worse — spreading across her back and arms. When her doctor ran a blood test, her kidney function was already below normal.
This type of itching — called uremic pruritus — happens when waste products build up under the skin. It’s often worse at night and doesn’t respond to typical creams.
Could persistent itching mean something more than dryness? Possibly. And the next sign might appear before you even start to scratch.
8. Unexplained Rashes or Small Bumps
When toxins can’t exit through urine, they may look for other exits — your skin being one of them. Red patches, small bumps, or even hives-like eruptions can appear without allergies being the cause.
