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Pigmentation Due to Renal Failure

Chronic renal failure and end-stage renal failure causes changes to your skin color, according to the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). These pigmentation changes occur as a symptom of the disease or as a result of dialysis treatment.

  1. Function

    • In addition to filtering waste, your healthy kidneys balance your electrolytes, regulate the water in your body and keep your blood pH within the 7.3 to 7.45 range, according to Medline Plus.

    Effects

    • When you have chronic renal failure, your pigmentation becomes pale due anemia, according to AAKP.

    Other Skin Problems

    • Your skin’s hue can become a yellow color as a symptom of chronic renal failure. Or you may suffer from hyperpigmentation when you’re exposed to the sun.

    Dialysis

    • Once your kidneys no longer function properly, you typically undergo dialysis treatment. Dialysis removes toxic waste products or impurities from your blood.

    Significance

    • Pigment changes in your skin can result from urochromes, which remain in your skin, according to DaVita. Typically, when your kidneys are healthy they filter urochromes from your body.

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