Transdermal dialysis

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Leo Freeman - 25 Apr 2007 08:05 GMT

My mother, who is 86 yrs old, has renal failure probably caused by her
multiple myeloma. Her doctors have said that because of her poor
health, an attempt at haemo- or peritoneal dialysis would most likely
kill her. Her high blood urea level is also contributing to heart
arrythmias.

I'm desperately clutching at straws here, but does anyone know whether
it may be possible to use the skin itself as a dialysis membrane? I
heard that urea can actually pass through the skin, and form a
crystalline frost in severe uremia cases. Could urea and other blood
toxins be somehow coaxed out from the skin capillaries by osmosis,
perhaps by soaking the patient in a hot bath?
Please say it will work!!

Thank you,
Leo

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Martha Adams - 29 Apr 2007 18:12 GMT

This "transdermal dialysis" idea is interesting; but seems to me, the
matter wants serious study from medical research work, not from
here where we see so much cranks posting. For a quick guess, I
see say one square meter of skin for toxins transfer vs how much
kidney interface? And skin is primarily made to keep our personal
prehistoric oceans in us, not to let much out. However, I think the
mention of uremia frosting is compelling: somebody has done
relevant research on this. If it can work a little, then somebody can
come up with something to make it work better.

I think however, there's another question in this, a hard one: Is the
topic here quality of life, or quality of death?

Sincerely -- Martha Adams [sci.med 2007 Apr 29]

> My mother, who is 86 yrs old, has renal failure probably caused by her
> multiple myeloma. Her doctors have said that because of her poor
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Thank you,
> Leo

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