Q I have diabetes and kidney failure, and the itching is severe. Can it be done alongside my internal medicine treatment?
A For diabetic and renal-failure itching, managing the systemic disease comes first, but herbal medicine can improve the skin's heat-toxin environment and lower the itch intensity. You must tell us the list of medications you are taking.
Detailed Answer
Diabetic itching is caused by nerve damage from high blood glucose (diabetic neuropathy) and skin dryness. Renal-failure itching, in which uremic toxins deposit in the skin and stimulate histamine and opioid receptors, is often very severe. In these cases, internal medicine treatment (blood glucose control, dialysis) is fundamental, and herbal treatment plays a supportive role in lowering itch intensity.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, for patients with kidney failure or diabetes, we prioritize prescription ingredients that do not burden the kidneys and design doses conservatively. There have been cases where a clearing-heat and promoting-urination (cheongyeol-isu) prescription helped uremic itching that could not be controlled with antihistamines alone. We manage it safely in cooperation with the internal medicine attending physician.
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