If you have ever packed a blanket for dialysis in the middle of summer, you are not alone. Feeling cold during hemodialysis is a common treatment-day complaint, but there is an important difference between simply feeling chilly and suddenly developing chills or feeling sick.
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Quick answer
Dialysis rooms may be cool, and the treatment itself can affect thermal comfort. A light blanket, loose layers, warm socks, or adaptive clothing can help with everyday comfort. Sudden shaking chills, fever, or feeling acutely unwell should be reported to staff right away.
Why dialysis may feel cold
Sometimes the room is simply cool. The treatment itself can also affect how warm or cold you feel because blood is circulating through the dialysis circuit and exchanging heat with dialysate. Cooler dialysate may sometimes be used as part of a treatment prescription for blood-pressure stability, but it can also make some patients feel colder.
That does not mean you should ask staff to casually change the machine temperature. If you are consistently uncomfortable, tell your care team.
Stay warm without hiding your access
If you have an arm fistula or graft, a heavy pullover can create another problem. Staff need to reach and monitor the access, and tight clothing should not compress the arm. The National Kidney Foundation recommends avoiding tight clothing and pressure over a fistula or graft.
A simple layering system
- Torso: choose a comfortable base layer.
- Access arm: use a sleeve that can open or move completely away from the cannulation area.
- Legs and feet: add warmth here when possible because it usually does not interfere with an arm access.
Adaptive clothing options
KickIt Infusion Jacket
The Infusion Jacket uses a front zipper and openings beneath the sleeves. For dialysis, the practical value is being able to add a layer without forcing a tight sleeve over the access arm.
KickIt Recovery Set
The Recovery Set uses long sleeves with arm and underarm zipper access. That can provide more coverage while still allowing part of the sleeve to open when staff need the access.
Warm slipper socks
Feet are one place where extra warmth can usually be added without interfering with an arm access. If you are dizzy or weak after dialysis, warm socks do not replace taking your time when standing or following staff instructions.
Explore KickIt Recovery Wear →
A regular blanket still works
Adaptive clothing is optional. A lightweight throw over the torso and legs can add warmth while leaving the access arm available. Arrange the blanket so staff can still see your face, vascular access, needle sites, and bloodline connections.
When feeling cold should be reported
Tell staff promptly if feeling cold is accompanied by shaking chills, fever, feeling suddenly ill, unusual weakness or confusion, redness or drainage around an access, or a catheter dressing problem. If today’s cold feeling is very different from your usual pattern, speak up.
The goal is not to tough it out
Comfort is not the most important part of dialysis, but it is not meaningless either. When treatments happen week after week, small problems become repeated problems. A good setup might be as simple as a loose access-friendly shirt, a blanket, and warm socks.
Free tools: If chills or feeling cold keeps happening, write it down in the Treatment-Day Notes & Questions Log and look for patterns in the 90-Day Dialysis Planner.
Related Renal Care Planner resources
General education only. Renal Care Planner provides general educational information and planning resources. Clothing and comfort suggestions do not replace guidance from your dialysis care team or your facility’s policies.