Water Allergy

Almost all life forms depend on water. Man himself is composed mainly of water and couldn’t even survive for a week without water intake. What will happen if a person becomes allergic to water?

What you should know

There have already been cases of water allergy documented and published in various journals. Water allergy or aquagenic urticaria is an extremely rare case of allergy characterized by intense burning and itching sensation after any contact with water—even with one’s own perspiration.

Water allergy is a very rare skin condition that only 30-40 cases are documented in literature. The mechanism of the condition is not entirely known, but it is thought to be caused by a hypersensitivity to chemicals, minerals, and ions found in water rather than an IgE-mediated allergic reaction. Any form of contact with water—sometimes, even drinking will cause sore, rashes to appear and lasting for a few minutes to several hours. The type and temperature of the water may also cause some differences in the symptoms, with tap water being the most common offender. One prominent story of aquagenic urticaria is the case of an Australian teenage girl who unfortunately caught the disorder at the age of 14. The histamine levels in her body went berserk after a heavy dose of penicillin. Now, a small drop of water causes her to break out in painful hives and welts all over. In some cases, drinking water can cause swelling of the throat.

Medical practitioners haven’t yet found a cure for water allergy than to avoid water at all cost. The person should avoid humid conditions, rain, even their own tears and sweat. Taking a shower should not take long, and if possible, they should omit doing so. Antihistamines could provide helpful relief. Other options include capsaicin cream (Zostrix) to relieve the pain, and ultraviolet phototherapy.