The skin may feel hot or rough to the touch. Sometimes, tiny white crystals — known as “uremic frost” — can appear on the surface in severe cases. It sounds shocking, but it’s the body’s desperate attempt to push out waste.
If that image startled you, wait until you hear the next one — a symptom that hides in plain sight every single morning.
7. Puffy Eyes or Swollen Face
James, 62, used to joke about his “pillow face” in the morning. He thought it was from sleeping on his side — until the swelling wouldn’t fade. Doctors later discovered protein leaking into his urine, a classic sign of kidney stress.
When kidneys can’t retain or filter proteins properly, fluid builds up in soft tissues, especially around the eyes. Puffy eyelids might seem harmless, but they can be one of the earliest red flags.
But swelling doesn’t always stop at your face — sometimes it travels downward.
