Acquagenic urticaria in 26-year-old soon after giving birth
Acquagenic urticaria is a rare condition in which hives develop when the skin comes in contact with water, irrespective of the temperature of the water. The condition most commonly affects women and the symptoms often start showing around puberty. Some of the symptoms that patients report with include itching and physical urticaria. The exact cause of the condition is still unknown. In addition, because of how rare the condition is, there is limited data regarding the effectiveness of individual treatments.
This article describes the case of a 26-year-old, Cherelle Farrugia, of Cardiff, Wales, whose skin breaks into painful and itchy rashes after it comes in contact with water. The woman told the doctors that every time she comes in contact with water, her skin breaks out into swollen, pale and red bumps, especially while in the shower. Aquagenic urticaria was first described by Shelley and Rawley in 1964. Since then, less than 100 cases have been reported in literature
Speaking to the media Cherelle Farrugia claimed that her skin breaks into painful and very itchy rashes after coming in contact with water, for example, during shower. She further stated that she started experiencing the painful urticaria after delivering her baby. What’s more, she would often take a shower multiple times in a day without any skin flare ups.
Explaining the appearance of the allergy Cherelle said, “Physically, it’s quite painful and it’s very itchy. It’s kind of like a prickly feeling and then it’s a full-blown rash.”
Does drinking water also cause the rashes?
Fortunately, the water allergy does not affect her when she drinks water. The rashes particularly appear on her shoulder, stomach, back, neck, and sometimes her face. At first the doctors were unable to diagnose what was causing her condition. Therefore, advised her to change her soap and towel. Although, after running multiple tests, doctors diagnosed her with acquagenic urticaria.
References
Woman Reports Allergy To Water- A Rare Case Of Aquagenic Urticaria https://speciality.medicaldialogues.in/woman-reports-allergy-to-water-a-rare-case-of-aquagenic-urticaria