Rare “Water Allergy” Causes Burning, Itching Upon Contact – adn Diagnosis Can Take Years
London, UK – A man named Cassidy recently shared his decade-long struggle with a remarkably rare condition – aquagenic urticaria, an allergy to water - on the British television program “This morning.” His story highlights the challenges of diagnosing this unusual ailment, where even simple contact with water triggers a painful reaction.
Cassidy first experienced symptoms at age 14 during a school swimming lesson. “When I got out of the water, it was swelling, burning and itching all over my chest,” he recounted. Initially,he suspected a reaction to chlorine,but the symptoms persisted,appearing whenever he showered,sweated,or even used the bathroom.
For years, Cassidy’s concerns were dismissed by doctors as “a simple rash.” He says he was repeatedly told to “take antihistamines, and it will pass,” without receiving a proper diagnosis. It wasn’t until he relocated and found a new family physician that his condition was finally identified. The doctor, after thorough examination and review of photos, diagnosed him with aquagenic urticaria – a true “water allergy.”
Aquagenic urticaria manifests as a rash appearing 20-30 minutes after water contact. While symptoms typically subside within an hour of drying off, some sufferers experience more severe reactions, including headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, and even fainting.
Experts believe the allergy isn’t to the water itself, but rather to substances within the water that penetrate the skin and trigger an immune response. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Currently, there is no definitive cure for aquagenic urticaria. Dr. Zoe Williams, speaking on “This Morning,” explained that the condition can sometiems resolve spontaneously. Though,for those who have lived with it for extended periods – like Cassidy,who has battled the allergy for 10 years – the likelihood of spontaneous remission is lower. “There is still hope that treatment options can be developed in the future,” Dr. Williams stated.
This case underscores the importance of persistent advocacy for medical concerns and the need for greater awareness of rare conditions like aquagenic urticaria, which can significantly impact quality of life.
