Aquagenic urticaria: could you be allergic to water?
Posted: 24th August 2022 | Posted by Costa
Aquagenic urticaria: could you be allergic to water?
We’re having one of the hottest summers on record here in the UK. And for many, this means more time spent in water – whether it’s a swimming pool, the sea, a paddling pool in the garden, or a refreshing cold shower. But what if you didn’t have these luxuries on a hot summer’s day?
This is the reality for any aquagenic urticaria sufferers out there. In short, this condition is a skin reaction to water. You heard that right. Despite being around 60% water, humans can experience an allergic reaction simply from coming into contact with it.
It’s a rare allergy, but it’s still worth knowing about just in case you ever experience symptoms. Or if you’re simply interested in hearing about some of the more niche allergies out there!
What causes aquagenic urticaria?
Aquagenic urticaria is a specific form of urticaria – a common skin condition associated with hives, rashes, weals, and welts. People experience a reaction after coming into contact with an allergen. The body releases histamines to fight the harmful substance. And these are what set off our allergy-like symptoms.
In the case of aquagenic urticaria, the allergen triggering the reaction will, of course, be water. There are plenty of times we come into contact with water. But some of the more common triggers will be swimming, bathing, rain, sweat, or tears.
What are the symptoms?
People with aquagenic urticaria can experience a range of symptoms. These include rashes, itching, red skin, burning sensations, lesions, welts, and inflammation. In more severe cases, drinking water can cause issues. With this, someone might experience difficulty breathing, swallowing, wheezing, or a rash around the mouth.
Symptoms will kick in shortly after exposure, usually around 15 minutes. And luckily, mild symptoms don’t tend to stick around for long either. After drying yourself off, symptoms can fade within the hour.
Is there a treatment?
While some triggers are easy enough to avoid, others are impossible. You can’t exactly tell your body to stop producing sweat or to never cry. So where it’s unrealistic to avoid contact with water completely, the key is to prevent or minimise your symptoms post-exposure.
Antihistamines can be taken daily to reduce your body’s allergic response. Severe cases that impact your breathing may require an EpiPen. And you may also need to be mindful of the water content in the foods you eat.
You’ll also want to reduce your contact with water wherever possible. For example, taking shorter, less frequent showers. You can also opt for moisture-wicking clothing to prevent long contact with sweat. And become more mindful of the rain forecast.
Aquagenic urticaria is an incredibly rare condition. And if you experience symptoms, it’s easy to blame something else. The chlorine in the pool or a new product you’ve used in the shower. But if you’re noticing a persistent pattern between water contact and skin irritation, it might be worth investigating it a little further.
You don’t have to navigate your allergies alone. Our experts are always on-hand to answer any questions or concerns you might have. To get in touch with us, or to book an allergy test, call 02031 433 449, or register as a new patient.