• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Woman allergic to water explains how she’s able to live with extremely rare condition

Home> News> Health

Published 18:46 3 Jan 2024 GMT

Woman allergic to water explains how she’s able to live with extremely rare condition

The condition affects less than 250 people worldwide

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

A lot of things people are allergic to things they can actively avoid, but what do you do if you're allergic to water?

Water is a vital part of living, and humans can only last around three days without it - something which causes an issue of Tessa Hansen-Smith, who is allergic to H2O.

Tessa suffers with Aquagenic Urticaria; an extremely rare condition which is thought to affect less than 250 worldwide.

It's described as 'a rare form of physical urticaria in which hives develop on the skin after contact with water, regardless of its temperature'.

In addition to drinking water, there's all the issue of bathing as well as that (obviously) involves water too.

Advert

With the rarity of her condition in mind, Tessa, 25, documents her life on social media and has shared how she gets around the issue of drinking and washing in water in particular.

When someone asked her on Instagram how she's able to hydrate properly, Tessa explained: "You do need [water] to survive, and luckily my immune system doesn't detect every molecule, so I'm able to get some water in from milk mostly."

Tessa Hansen-Smith is one of the very few to suffer with Aquagenic Urticaria.
Instagram/@livingwaterless

She also added that she can get some hydration benefits from fruits and vegetables if she eats them with a glass of milk or with high-protein foods.

Advert

"I still have to eat a very limited amount," Tessa went on.

"My hands, lips and tongue show how dehydrated I am. My body has just become used to being dehydrated."

In regards to showering, Tessa tries her best to keep herself as clean as possible so she doesn't have to bathe too often.

"I don’t do a whole lot that makes me very dirty, because I can’t," she previously explained to People.

Advert

"Standing in a shower for more than five minutes while also trying to not pass out as I hyperventilate while there’s water hitting me, is not a relaxing self-care experience like it can be for others."

Bathing causes Tessa's skin to develop rashes and hives.
Instagram/@livingwaterless

Tessa has previously described her condition as 'isolating' as, in summertime in particular, she isn't able to go out and do what most people her age do.

She told ABC News: "In the summertime, when people are going to the beach, people are having pool parties, and trying to escape the heat the best they can, and those are things I can't participate in and can't enjoy, so it can be really isolating."

Advert

Sadly there's no current cure for Aquagenic Urticaria so, as well as avoiding water where she can, Tessa takes antihistamines to alleviate the rashes, hives and itching from contact with water.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@livingwaterless

Topics: News, Health, Life

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Chipotle customer finds receipt from 10 years ago and the comparison is making people want to cry

    Chipotle customers are understandably upset

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    100-year-old identical twins reveal secret to long life after celebrating milestone

    Bernice Frank and Gloria Lipman shared their wisdom for reaching 100-years-old

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    Forensic psychiatrist gives chilling theory behind Bryan Kohberger’s motive after he confessed to Idaho murders

    Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to murder earlier this week

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    Body found in search for man who vanished on vacation as police release chilling details

    Brian Tarrence was with his wife in Turks and Caicos before being reported missing days later

    News
  • Woman goes to hospital with headache and wakes up with no memory of past 30 years
  • Lawyer sparks debate after answering how he’s able to defend someone he thinks is guilty
  • Woman slams airline for 'really terrifying situation' after she suffered severe allergic reaction to nuts