Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Water Allergy

I think i might be allergic to water. Everytime i go for a shower, for a bath, for a swim, or even doing the washing up, my hands become EXTENSIVLY  pruny, and rather sponge like. It can be very sore, and sometimes painful if my hands are in the water for an extended period of time, sometimes i can even feel my pulse pounding thorough my hands.
As you can imagine this can be very unsightly and something i would like to sort out quickly, its been a problem for about 3 years now, and in that time i have tried using different saops and even moisturising my hands after, but it is all to no avail.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Cheers
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
580723 tn?1218004925
Hello there,

I'm Victoria..
I'm just looking to see if anyone has similar experiences. I am 30 years old, and have allergies. In the last 4 & half years, I have been allergic after my appendix operation. After the operations, my whole body is pain & itchy.. Doctor said im allergic to "CEPHALEXIN".. Adviceable not to take any medicines on it.

Not sure what makes me allergy mostly at the hands.. Maybe the dust, drug allergies, food allergies,  certain chemicals in shampoos, shower gels.. When allergies happened, my body feels hot, hurt, pain & itchy all over my hands, including my face, body & legs.. The most seriousnes is my hands.. I'm normally take up medicines given by doctor. The medicines are fungus, itchy & allergy.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this or the symptoms and if so what can help - apart from taking the medicines on itchiness!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

The outermost layer of our skin is covered with sebum, which lubricates and waterproofs our skin. The sebum keeps the water out when we wash our hands or take a quick shower. But when our skin is exposed to water for a longer time, the limited amount of sebum gets washed away. This is what happens when you take a bath, shower, swim, or wash the dishes. Once the sebum is washed away, water enters the outer layer of the skin by the process of osmosis. Most of our body is covered with hair and each hair follicle constantly produces sebum. There is no hair follicle in our palms and fingertips, so the protective layer of sebum gets washed away quickly. The extra water that enters your skin makes it swell up in some places, which gives it that wrinkled look. Once dried, sebum is again produced, hence, the skin goes back to it's normal look. It is best that you refrain from staying in the water for extended period of time and to dry the hands and palms immediately for sebum to be produced. If this condition persists, it would be best to see your doctor for further evaluation. Take care and keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I dont swim that much to be fair, but even after about 5 minutes in the bath my hands are very pruny, it doesn't last long once im out of the water, and once my hands are dry its ok, and they are not sore anymore
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
Well I know you can get hives from an allergy to water and I have seen the pruny" look if I have stayed in the water for a long time, but it hasnt lasted long do you stay  in a long time
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Allergy Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Find out if your city is a top "allergy capital."
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
If you’re one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from hay fever, read on for what plants are to blame, where to find them and how to get relief.
Allergist Dr. Lily Pien answers Medhelp users' most pressing allergy-related questions
When you start sniffling and sneezing, you know spring has sprung. Check out these four natural remedies to nix spring allergies.