Skin Manifestations in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure on Regular Hemodialysis

In 1976, S Griffon-Euvrard and colleagues studied skin disorders in 50 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis for chronic renal failure. The most common dermatological issue was pruritus (itching), which was particularly prevalent and severe in long-term dialysis patients. This was attributed to high urea blood concentration and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other less frequent conditions included calcinosis cutis, hypermelanosis (found in 41% of the group), and nail disorders such as the absence of lunula (30%) and half and half nail (36%). Skin dryness (30%) and ichthyosis (10%) were also observed and could be related to pruritus. Alopecia, drug reactions, and prurigo had a specific incidence. Two patients presented bullous eruptions in sunlight-exposed skin areas, resembling Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, but with normal porphyrin levels in urine and feces.