Patients with chronic kidney disease who have dialysis develop severe hair loss and fragile nails

When you look the best, you will feel your best. But sometimes other diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) can hinder this feeling. When you have CKD and are on dialysis, physical changes such as hair loss or nail discoloration may occur. A low-protein diet means that one person may not be able to meet their daily zinc needs, and zinc deficiency causes hair loss and nails to become brittle. Similarly, loss of appetite, especially meat and other protein foods, can reduce zinc intake. Kidney diets that limit beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy products can cause zinc deficiency as this is the main source of zinc in the regular diet.


Other nutrients associated with hair and nails altered chronic kidney disease during dialysis may include lack of calcium, iron and B vitamins. In order to treat and prevent these deficiencies, dialysis patients are given kidney vitamins containing high levels of B vitamins. Check calcium and iron levels monthly, and if levels are low, supplements are prescribed.


Certain medications can also cause changes in hair and nails. It is recommended that you ask your nephrologist and / or other medical team members to test to determine if the medication you are taking is related to your hair and nails symptoms. It is important that you know whether the medications you are taking cause these symptoms. KidneyBuzz.com strongly recommends that you stop taking your medication before discussing it with the medical team. If the result shows a link between the medication you are taking and your hair or nails, you can add or change medications. There may be a drug that can replace the medicine you have prescribed. In addition, sometimes thyroid problems can cause hair loss. Your doctor may order a laboratory test to detect any abnormal hormone levels, such as thyroid hormones.
Although most hair loss is temporary for dialysis patients, your hair will begin to grow in a matter of months. Here are some tips to help you with temporary hair loss:


Nail and CKD


Nails and toenails are affected by kidney disease. Patients with nails changes may experience abnormalities including:


colour
shape
texture
thickness
Nitrogen wastes build up in people with chronic kidney disease and cause damage to fingernails and toenails. If your nails abnormal changes, please tell your doctor, for example:


Yellow or opaque coloring
Brittle nails
Notched nails (can easily fall off or fall off)
Nail on the linear depression (known as the Bovine line)
Ribbed nail
Raised ridge, thin and concave shape (known as koilonychia)
White stripes, spots on nails (called leukonychia)


All potential causes of hair loss may accelerate the development of your condition. Hair loss is only one of the side effects of dialysis. If you want to get rid of dialysis, you can leave a message or send an email to chinakidneytherapy@gmail.com. Our nephrologists can help you develop a personalized treatment plan