This is actually a conversation I had with Anderon's husband, Brian, when I went to pay them a visit a year ago. He had mentioned how a neighbor claimed that their kid was allergic to water and how he thought is was impossible. I told him that it wasn't because I have it. For me, usually some other allergy thing has to trigger it. I was surprised to actually find an article today on the topic (you can read it below) because currently I am experiencing an episode of the "itchies" (as I call it).
Last Saturday I was exposed to a ferret. Normally I do not allow myself to be exposed to many animals because of my extreme allergies but I had read and been told that they are hypo-allergenic so I thought I might be safe - way wrong!! The next day my left arm was covered in a rash. Soon I had hives all along my arm and the "itchies" started on my arms, upper body and face. It is that feeling of you have an itch that even though you scratch it, it doesn't go away. So I have learned not to scratch because I don't want to ruin my skin so every now and again when it is absolutely intolerable I rub. It has been about 6 days now and the "itchies" have made their way down to my legs. Now I feel it every now and again on my lower legs. I am not able to take a shower first thing in the morning, which I prefer because it helps to wake me up. I have to take a shower when I get home in the afternoon once my allergy medications have fully kicked in.
I have to keep my skin covered because exposed skin itches more than covered skin. So with the current 90 degree weather I have been wearing jeans all week. I started the week wearing a long-sleeved shirt and jeans so it has gotten better. Also, when I go to bed at night it seems to get worse. So I have to load up on Benadryl as to help me sleep plus I sleep with a sweatshirt and sweatpants as to keep my skin covered up. My poor husband can't touch my skin either because it makes it itch.
Now, this past week is mild compared to my other two episodes I have had. Either that or I have become more used to it. With each day the "itchies" are less and less. I expect them to be gone by next week. It does make usual life difficult. I can't go to the pool with my kids, I can't spend long periods of time outside because of the clothes I am wearing (which has caused me to miss some of Marisol's soccer) and my whole workout/shower time is dependent upon when my allergy meds have kicked in.
I have only known one other person to actually have this. As mentioned in the article below, it typically lasts for a little bit or for several hours. My case is extreme because mine can last weeks. I had the same situation as the person in the article. I had to go to many doctors before I met my allergist who knew exactly what it was. She admits that she has never known anyone to have it as bad as I do. After a certain amount of time, if they do not go away I have to see my allergist and she puts me on this ten day cocktail or allergy meds and steroids that make them go away. But these meds make me bloated and miserable plus the steroids make me put on weight. Yes, I know I sound vein but I am aware of how this is the less of the two evils because I don't like my "itchies". My allergist explained it to me as having hives on the inside. My skin doesn't always show signs of anything but I itch like hell.
I don't agree with one thing in the article. They say that it isn't an allergy. That some say it is just sensitive skin. Trust me, if any of those people had to deal with what I do they would know that it isn't just a matter of sensitive skin.
Allergic to Water?
Yes, it’s possible. And, yes, it can be miserable.
Q: My eldest son, who is 15, seems to be allergic to water. This has just come on within the last year. When he takes a shower his chest itches really badly. He also gets this way when he swims. We took him to the dermatologist’s office and saw a physician’s assistant who said it just must be the soap, and to change the soap and things will be fine. It’s been frustrating for him; it isn’t the soap or laundry detergent because my family is a sensitive family and we use All Free and Clear for the laundry and Dove sensitive skin soap. I happen to have cold urticaria (a form of hives that’s caused by cold exposure). Do you have any idea what this might be? Could this be a form of cold urticaria? Do you know what we can do for him?
A: There are some clues in your question that may help lead to a diagnosis. The first is that your son’s itching occurs in the shower and when he goes swimming. This leads me to think it is not the soap or laundry detergent. The next hint is that it only happens after exposure to water and is not reactive to changes in air temperature. Given this information, I suspect your son may have a rare condition known as aquagenic pruritis.
Aquagenic pruritis is a condition that results after exposure to water of any temperature. Symptoms develop within minutes and may include itching, burning or even a prickly sensation. Most times there are no skin changes, although a faint, bumpy, itchy red rash may occur. The symptoms last from 10 minutes to several hours, and usually are experienced on one or more of the following skin surfaces: Chest, back, arms or legs. While the exact cause of this condition is uncertain, some investigators suggest it is a result of extreme skin sensitivity (but not allergy) to an added ingredient (chlorine, fluoride, others) or mineral present in the water.
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could aquagenic pruritis affect canines??? My poor dog has been itching since he was 2 months old. We have been to vets, holistic vet, allergy specialists, to University of Ga, to no avail, food trial, shots, you name it we've done it. No he lives on benaadry and steroid when it gets real bad. Idid notice that it always get way worst avter I bathe him, dip him, or when he goes smimming. Any Idea anyone??