But in addition to xerosis, skin lesions like excoriation, crusts, impetigo, and prurigo nodularis may also develop as a result of repeated scratching.

Research comparing hemodialysis patients with and without uremic pruritus revealed that those with the condition had noticeably higher levels of T helper 1 cells[10] as well as serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2,[11] and IL-31.

[14] Uremic pruritus cannot be diagnosed with laboratory tests or established criteria because of its variability and lack of specific skin lesions.

[15] Emollients, topical medications, antihistamines, phototherapy, dialysis modification, and serotonin receptor antagonists are examples of conventional treatments.

More data from recent studies indicates that biologics, gabapentin, pregabalin, and opioid receptor agonists and antagonists may be involved in treating uremic pruritus.