People With Allergies to Water

People with allergies to water have a condition called "aquagenic pruritus." This rare and agitating disease causes skin to become unbearably itchy after exposure to water, which can make everyday activities like showering a nuisance.

Cause

• The characteristic itching of aquagenic pruritus is no different from any other allergic reaction. It is caused by exposure to the substance. In this case, the substance is water. The skin erupts after contact with water and any number of symptoms soon appear.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of aquagenic pruritus may include rash, severe itching, burning sensation or a prickly feeling on the skin. Sometimes, no symptoms may show up besides itching. These symptoms can last anywhere from ten minutes to several hours.

Treatment

• To treat aquagenic pruritus, the best way to go is capsaicin cream. This cream can easily relieve the itching sensation after exposure to water. Other unconventional treatments can include ultraviolet B phototherapy and beta-blocker medicines.