21-year-old Woman, Allergic To Water, Says 'People Always Ask The Same Question'

A 21-year-old woman named Abbie has recently shared her ordeal about the crippling allergic condition called aquagenic urticaria. It is a condition that causes painful hives (skin reaction that causes itchy welts) to erupt on her skin upon contact with water. Abbie has talked about it on the YouTube channel Truly’s Born Different series.

Aquagenic Urticaria results in swelling, itching and a burning sensation whenever water comes in contact with her skin. This has made it a scarce affliction (a state of pain) with only a few known cases worldwide. The symptoms of this condition occur within minutes of exposure to water, leaving Abbie with “red, itchy hives” that are “very painful”.

Opening up about her unique health ailment, Abbie revealed the one question she’s constantly asked: “The main question people ask me when I tell them about my condition is ‘How do I shower’ and ‘Do I shower’, that’s always the big question,” she explained. Abbie told them that she maintains a normal hygiene routine despite the pain. According to her, she showers normally every week just like everybody else. She, however, tries to keep it down, i.e.- spending minimum time in the shower when washing so the flare-ups aren’t as bad.

She, however, clarified that the allergy is purely external and activities like drinking water pose no issue. Abbie has noted that neither the temperature nor the water’s pressure changes the pain her skin faces. Her skin flares up under any constant stream of water. She shared her thoughts about the initial discovery of the skin. According to Abbie, she first started experiencing symptoms in around October and November 2017. She remembers being only 16 when this condition began to happen.

Abbie remembers asking her mother about this condition. She, however, was clueless and wasn’t very sure why her skin was flaring up. As per Abbie, it was difficult for her mother. She didn’t want her daughter to be in pain but couldn’t find what was bothering her.

Abbie isn’t the only person to speak out about the condition. A teenager named Abigail Beck has it too, previously saying her tears “feel like acid”.