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Allergy Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to airbourne allergies, eye allergies, shots, anaphylaxis, asthma, children's allergies, hives, insect stings, rhinitis, sinuses, and allergies to drugs, foods, and pets.
Water Allergy
by Syeed, Jul 22, 2008 09:28AM
I had allergy to water for more than 3 years. My symptoms are itching and redness on only my legs, even though the water touches my full body. I've went to government doctors and they told me to use oil on the legs. It was working until few days back when even the oil doesnt stop the itching. I used to use a low power allergy pill which now doesnt work either. the itchiness drives me mad and i itch my skin like im tearing them of. I've decided to use Claritin, but i dont know if they'll work. Can i have more help on this!!!
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How are you?
Water urticaria, or aquagenic urticaria, is a rare condition in which hives develop within 1 to 15 minutes after contact with water. The hives last for 10 to 120 minutes and do not seem to be caused by histamine release like the other physical hives. Most investigators believe that this condition is actually exquisite skin sensitivity to additives in the water such as chlorine but distilled water can also cause this reaction.
Do you have itching for a longer time,say for>2hrs?As told by you that itching is only on the legs and not on the whole body even when water touches the whole body;I think that it can be a case of contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis also.
In contact dermatitis there is a localized rash or irritation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance.
Pls consult a dermatologist for the exact diagnosis.
Water urticaria is diagnosed by applying tap water and distilled water to the skin and observing the reaction. Contact dermatitis can be diagnosed from your symptoms and physical examination. Blood tests and x-rays are not helpful.
Treatment of water urticaria includes epinephrine, antihistamines, or cortisone-like drugs. Itching can be controlled with cold packs or commercial topical agents that contain menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, aloe, antihistamines, or cortisone preparations.
ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/physicallergy
Contact dermatitis is self limiting.
Pls get yourself examined by a dermatologist and then start with a treatment.
Do keep us posted.