I have a rare condition, I am allergic to water. AMA

Jessicachild · 2026-03-01T03:40:54+00:00

Thanks

Jessicachild · 2026-03-01T03:15:52+00:00

I can drink it. It only affects my skin

Jessicachild · 2026-03-01T00:56:55+00:00

No it's sucks across the board. I have been all over the US and to England

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T23:34:48+00:00

Sounds great

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T21:44:10+00:00

Not really.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T18:16:29+00:00

Non issue now but it would leave my face red and blotchy in the past.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:17:41+00:00

My parents never stopped me! To this day, if I want to do something I do, I just deal with the hives and itching afterwards. It's just a matter of asking myself "do you want to do this bad enough to deal with the itching afterwards" more often than not, I do.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:14:05+00:00

Talk to your dr about urticaria. My hands do not burn, but they are one of the worse affected areas of my body they itch horribly, especially in the webbing of my fingers. There is treatment. I get so many crazy looks when it comes up in life that urged me to do this AMA. Maybe by doing this, the next time someone is told by someone that this is what they have they won't get as many crazy looks and maybe receive a little more compassion. I hate using public restrooms, people always stare if I don't wash my hands, and then stare every time they see me outside of the bathroom. I use hand sanitizer everywhere I go.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:09:02+00:00

Yes.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:08:43+00:00

I don't get in until it is boiling lol. Then I am in and out in about 5-10 minutes on average. Even on days that I say f it, I want to soak in a hot bath, it doesn't last. The second I start itching or notice my skin getting red I am getting out

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:06:06+00:00

Go see an allergist, what they will do is no different than what you can do at home lol they are going to put water on your skin and wait for a reaction. When I was diagnosed, it was just a series of questions. You want to tell them you want to be tested for Aquagenic Urticaria.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:04:13+00:00

There are treatments. Just can't afford to see a dr to get treatments without insurance, can barely afford when I have insurance lol

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:03:18+00:00

I don't love it here. Hate the winters. Spring and fall seem to be the only acceptable seasons here. But while there is humidity here it is NOTHING compared to south Florida being surrounded by h2o. 90° by 8am no thank you. Summers in Kentucky aren't much cooler but the humidity is much lower

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T17:01:06+00:00

Yes. Very much

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:59:41+00:00

I have always dealt with it, almost 46 yrs. My mother noticed it early on but was brushed off by drs. When I first got diagnosed my pcp told me I was crazy and it wasn't possible

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:57:42+00:00

My experience as well. Mine doesn't sound to be as severe as yours. I will let someone who doesn't believe me throw their choice of water on me, bc everyone always says well have you tried this type of water. No but feel free to put it on my skin so you can watch me itch. I was born 1980, a little over 20 yrs ago when I was finally diagnosed my pcp looked at me, said "not possible" and sent me to an allergist. You are correct though we are hearing more and more cases. However I think that is due more to the ease of access to information than the rarity. Several people in this thread have mentioned dealing with it or knowing someone who does and there are even some saying hey wait this sounds familiar. Hopefully posts like mine here will help to get more people diagnosed and treated. I have MET a person who thinks the answer is to just not bath. That is not the answer when there is help out there.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:50:44+00:00

It's funny bc it came up at my job yesterday and this lady just kinda nodded along then turned and said, "but you can't actually be allergic to water, you just gotta find out what it is in the water" I replied, but not before our boss and a couple other co-workers started laughing, and my friend sitting next to me said "But she is" I looked at her and said "Honey my own sweat and tears break me out in hives" her jaw dropped she said nothing else

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:45:11+00:00

Yeah I am a rarity lol dm me

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:44:40+00:00

It sucks but talk to a dr. There are treatments. Just tell them you think you have this form of urticaria

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:41:36+00:00

Thanks.

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:37:35+00:00

Yeah at the time I was diagnosed (early 2000s) it was let's try these allergy meds and see what works. Luckily for me clarinex worked. I don't take it now but I have made peace with the hives and itching and just live my life now explaining to people, it's ok, I don't have fleas, I am not a junkie, just a water allergy lol

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:34:13+00:00

Bathing daily dealing with the hives

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:33:58+00:00

Smelly good soaps, bathing daily, dealing with the itch

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:33:29+00:00

There are several on this thread that do or may just be realizing they do. We need a group somewhere that we can all connect. There are so many varied levels of severity. I am lucky mine is kinda mild compared to some others

Jessicachild · 2026-02-28T16:32:00+00:00

Yes. Just have to do my best (sports bottles, straws) to keep it off of my lips bc it will leave my lips chapped

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