Some people can be physically allergic to water that touches their skin, resulting in skin reactions or internal organ symptoms. There are two main types of water allergy conditions: cold urticaria and aquagenic itch. Cold urticaria can be caused by an underlying medical condition and tends to go away on its own within five years. Aquagenic itch has no proven cause or cure, but can be treated with topical capsaicin. People with these conditions may need to take extra precautions when exposed to water, but it is generally not dangerous and they can still consume water safely. Some doctors believe that these conditions are not allergies to water itself, but to minerals and other ingredients in the water.
In rare cases, it is possible for a person to be physically allergic to water that touches their skin. A water allergy is usually in the form of a skin reaction that occurs when a person is exposed to water, such as when bathing or swimming, but it can rarely cause internal organ symptoms. The skin reaction will typically depend on the temperature of the water. There are two main types of water allergy conditions: cold urticaria and aquagenic itch.
Cold urticaria is a condition where a person may be allergic to cold water. He or she may experience skin irritation after direct contact with cold water. While it tends to occur most often while swimming, the reaction can occur anytime a person is exposed to cold water. The most common symptoms include bright red patches or swelling of the skin. In very rare cases, a person with cold urticaria may have difficulty breathing or have an increased heart rate after exposure.
The exact cause of cold urticaria isn’t conclusively proven, but it often runs in families. It can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as hepatitis, chickenpox, or mononucleosis. There is no cure for cold urticaria, but it tends to go away on its own within five years.
The other possible way a person could be allergic to water is a condition called aquagenic itch. This condition is different from cold urticaria because it can occur after contact with water of any temperature. Symptoms usually develop on the arms, chest, legs, or back. A person may begin to notice a light red patch on the skin or feel itchy after showering or swimming, even if the water is warm. Aquagenic itch has no proven cause or cure, but it can eventually be treated with topical capsaicin.
People who have cold urticaria or aquagenic itch may need to take extra precautions to prevent serious reactions after exposure to water. While bathing or swimming, they may need to have someone monitor them closely to make sure they can get medical attention quickly if they experience severe symptoms. Cold urticaria may be easier for a person to deal with than aquagenic itch because they can more easily avoid cold water, while a person with aquagenic itch cannot realistically avoid water of all temperatures.
Although people with cold urticaria and aquagenic itch may experience skin reactions after exposure to water, it’s generally not dangerous and they can still consume water safely. Some doctors believe that since the human body is made of water, it is impossible to be allergic to water. They believe that these conditions do not constitute an allergy to water, and that cold hives and aquagenic itch are actually allergies to minerals and other ingredients in the water, but not to the water itself.
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