Water allergy, known scientifically as aquagenic urticaria, is a rare disease in which the skin develops red and irritated spots shortly after skin contact with water, regardless of temperature or composition. Thus, people with this condition usually present allergy to any type of water, whether the sea, the pool, the sweat, hot, cold or even filtered to drink, for example.
Generally, this type of allergy is more common in women, but it can also happen in men and the first symptoms usually appear in adolescence.
Since the cause of this disease is not yet known, there is also no treatment to cure it. However, the dermatologist may advise the use of some techniques, such as exposure to UV rays or intake of antihistamines to relieve discomfort.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms in case of allergy in water include:
- Red spots on the skin that appear after coming in contact with water;
- Itching or burning sensation in the skin;
- Swollen spots on the skin without redness.
Usually these signs appear in places near the head, such as the neck, arms or chest, but can also spread throughout the body, depending on the region that has been in contact with water. These spots tend to disappear about 30 to 60 minutes after removing the contact with water.
In more severe situations, this type of allergy can also cause an anaphylactic shock with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, sore throat or swollen face, for example. In these cases, you should go to the hospital immediately to start treatment and avoid running out of air. Learn more about what anaphylactic shock is and what to do.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of allergy to water should always be made by a dermatologist because it is necessary to study the entire clinical history, as well as the type of symptoms.
However, there is a test that can be done by the doctor to identify if the cause of the blemishes is actually the water. In this test, the dermatologist immerses a gauze in water at 35ºC and places it in a region of the chest. After 15 minutes, assess whether spots have appeared on the spot and if they have come up, evaluate the type of stain and the symptoms involved, to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
How To Treat Allergy
Although there is no cure for water allergy, there are some forms of treatment that can be indicated by the dermatologist to relieve discomfort:
- Antihistamines, such as Cetirizine or Hydroxyzine: lower levels of histamine in the body, which is the substance responsible for the onset of allergy symptoms and therefore can be used after contact with water to relieve discomfort;
- UV radiation : This type of radiation helps regulate skin cells, as well as the immune system, decreasing, over time, the intensity of symptoms.
In the more severe cases, where symptoms of anaphylactic shock usually occur, the doctor may also prescribe an epinephrine pen, which should always be transported in a pouch for use in emergency situations.
Care to avoid allergy
The best way to avoid the onset of allergy symptoms is to avoid skin contact with water, however, this is not always possible, especially when you need to take a shower or drink water.
So, some techniques that can help include:
- Do not bathe in the sea or in the pool;
- Take only 1 to 2 baths per week for less than 1 minute;
- Avoid intense physical exercise that causes a lot of sweat;
- Drink water using a straw to avoid water contact with the lips.
In addition, passing creams to extra dry skin such as Nivea or Vasenol, as well as sweet almond oil or petroleum jelly may also help relieve the symptoms, as they create a barrier between the skin and the water, especially during periods of rain or when it is difficult to avoid accidental contact with water.
Why Allergy Happens
There is still no definite cause for the occurrence of water allergy, but scientists point to 2 possible theories. The first is that the allergy is actually caused by substances that are dissolved in water and that eventually enter the body through the pores and causing an exaggerated response of the immune system.
However, the other theory says allergy arises because in people affected, the contact of water molecules with the skin creates a toxic substance that leads to the appearance of blemishes.
Check out other diseases that can lead to the appearance of red patches on the skin.
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