Kidney disease is a serious issue with many potential consequences. It is not typically considered in the context of penis health issues, but in fact kidney disease can in many instances impact penis health. For example, any men with kidney disease may also find that it can dampen their sex drive and/or cause or contribute to erectile dysfunction. In comparison, the fact that kidney disease can be responsible for an itchy penis may seem of lesser consequence – but an itchy penis can be an annoyance, indeed.

More about kidney disease

The NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) estimates that more than 30 million American adults have chronic kidney disease (although not all have been diagnosed with it yet). Normally, healthy working kidneys take the blood in the body and filter out wastes and excess fluid, which they then send out of the body as urine. But when a person has kidney disease, the kidneys can’t function appropriately, and so wastes, fluids, and electrolytes build up in the blood, to dangerous levels.

What brings about kidney disease? There can be many causes. Diabetes and/or high blood pressure are two of the most common. (Twenty-three million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes; more than 65 million American adults have high blood pressure.) There are various other kidney and/or urinary conditions that can also contribute to the development of kidney disease. And heart disease is also a major factor in many people who then develop kidney disease.

In addition, people with a family history of kidney disease stand a greater chance of developing it themselves.

Often, kidney disease progresses slowly, and a person may not experience symptoms until the condition is fairly well progressed. Having kidneys checked regularly can help to discover a case earlier in its progress.

When symptoms do appear, there can be many of them – and, of course, a person may have only a few of these symptoms. The symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, sleep issues, shortness of breath, weight loss, headaches, increased (or sometimes decreased) urination – and dry skin and itchiness.

Itchy penis

That last symptom explains why an itchy penis may come about due to kidney disease. As the kidneys lose their effectiveness, the skin around the penis (or anywhere else on the body) can become dry and itchy. More than 25 percent of people with kidney disease complain of itchy skin, often to the point that it can inhibit and interfere with their ability to sleep. Exactly how many men experience an itchy penis specifically is not noted, but it is assumed to be significant.

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Because kidney disease is also associated with increased urination, a man may feel especially self-conscious about getting caught scratching an itchy penis, as it may be assumed by some that he is experiencing a need to urinate. A well-meaning nurse or friend may suggest that he visit the bathroom, when in fact he is responding to a need to scratch, not a need to urinate.

An itchy penis can be embarrassing all on its own, as men feel understandably self-conscious about scratching their penis in public (despite the fact that every many has an itchy penis at some time or another).

Kidney disease presents many challenges, of which an itchy penis is a minor one. Regular use of a first-rate penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help to alleviate some of the itchiness in some cases. This is especially true if the selected oil contains a combination of a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) to deliver significant moisturizing capability. In addition, the oil should contain a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, in order to prevent skin damage caused by free radicals.