Woman who suffers from condition that makes her allergic to water 'cries in agony' every time she washes
A woman has admitted she 'cries in agony' every time she bathes or gets caught in the rain due to suffering from a rare skin condition.
Kendall Bryce, from Durham in the UK, describes the sensation of coming into contact with water as though someone has 'taken a lighter to her body'.
The 25-year-old has aquagenic urticaria, a condition - which started when she was just 15 years old - that makes her skin swell and break out in painful hives whenever it touches water.
Aquagenic urticaria is described as 'a rare form of physical urticaria in which hives develop on the skin after contact with water, regardless of its temperature' and is thought to affect less than 250 worldwide.
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The mom-of-one, who is currently pregnant with her second child, has said her life is 'a daily struggle' as she suffers from 'excruciating' pain whenever she takes a shower or washes her hands.
Even drinking a glass of H2O prompts a 'burning' sensation - as well as the rain and humidity which means she has to plan her day around the weather.
Doctors have so far been unable to find a cure or even any medication that would relieve her pain.
Kendall explained: "It really is a daily struggle. I can only have a bath or take a shower twice a week because of how excruciating the pain is - so I constantly worry I stink."
She tries to stay at home if it's forecast to rain, but sometimes she gets 'caught out by surprise' and suffers a painful reaction.
"I've never been able to give my one-year-old son a bath," she continued. "My mum has to do it for me."
Describing the sensation, Kendall said it first started 10 years ago from taking a bath and felt like she was getting stung by nettles all over her body.
Her symptoms were initially somewhat manageable as she could take an antihistamine to treat the side effects.
Now, however, she said things have gotten worse and now it feels more like burning.
"I'll be in agony for about half an hour after washing - but it feels like two hours. I cry throughout. It's actually so bad that my body can go into shock - so it's dangerous," Kendall added.
Kendall isn't the only one speaking out about the condition either, as Tessa Hansen-Smith said showers make her pass out from the pain and has resorted to drinking milk to keep dehydration at bay.
Kendall said medics have been stumped over the condition with it being so rare.
"The GP didn't have a clue what to do," the stay-at-home mom continued. "Not many people have it and not many people know about it."
Her diagnosis finally came in 2021 after she was referred to a dermatologist, but she is still yet to find medication that works.
She said: "They've tried lots of different medications but I kept reacting.I still haven't found something that helps.
"At the moment, there are only so many things I can try as I'm pregnant. Once I give birth, we'll try more."
Kendall now hopes by speaking out with her story she'll be able to find someone who can treat her.
"I really hope an expert might get in touch and know what to do," she said.
"At the moment, it all feels quite degrading.
"I just want a normal life where I can go out in the rain, have a shower and give my son a bath."
Liv Bridge