Can you be allergic to water?

[phyllis]

This question is about my daughter.  My daughter is 18 years old.  She is away at college.  She say every time she is finished taking a shower her legs itch like crazy.  She dries them off, but they still itch.  The only relief she can get is if she dries them immediately with her blow dryer, set on high.  She doesn't itch anywhere else only her legs and the itch is even worse when she shaves them.  Could she be having an allergic reaction to something in the water?  She has tried different soaps and her legs still itch.  When she comes home on weekends and takes a shower they her legs are fine and do not itch.  Is there anything she can do while she is at college to stop them from itching after her shower?  I wouls appreciate any help or suggestions you can give me.  Thanks.

[bob]

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[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Phyllis:

Some people get hives after hot showers or exercise.  The only prevention is to use cooler water or to take an antihistamine (chlortrimeton, Claritin, etc.) before the shower.  I cannot think of any reason this would only happen at school.  YThere is such a thing as hives from water, but this occurs in pools and lakes, and is very rare, and in any case wouild always happen, not just in one location.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff