• 18-month-old girl is allergic to water
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WASHINGTON • A one-year-old toddler from the United States has developed a rare allergy to one of the basic components of life: water. Ivy Angerman from Minnesota develops allergic reactions such as hives and rashes whenever she comes into contact with water, according to media reports. The 18-month-old girl suffers from a rare condition known as aquagenic urticaria, which affects fewer than 100 people worldwide, reported British newspaper The Independent's online news site Indy100. Ivy's condition was first noticed by her parents after they discovered that their daughter would develop allergic reactions after her bath time. The couple initially suspected that their child was allergic to the soap or shampoo used. But even after eliminating the use of shampoos or soaps during Ivy's bath, she would still break out "in the worst blistery rashes". In an interview with Indy100, Ivy's mother, Mrs Brittany Angerman, said: "We had even tried bathing in different cities with different water systems, with the same reactions. We basically had to eliminate any outside factors until we were down to just water as the cause of her reactions." Apart from bathing, Ivy also develops allergic reactions if she sweats and is caught in the rain. Her diaper also has to be changed immediately after it gets wet. Mrs Angerman added that most people are shocked when they learn about Ivy's condition, but understands that it "does sound pretty out there, to be allergic to water". "It's very hard, as a mother, to see your child in pain. It's something that is always on your mind and no parent wants to see their child hurting," she told Indy100. The exact cause of the condition is still unknown because of a lack of research and data available. However, some experts have proposed that the reaction is caused by allergens in the water, or it could be an interaction between water and a substance found in or on the skin. http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/18-month-old-girl-is-allergic-to-water
That would be a horrifying allergy to have. Is it just the water on her skin or does she get affected by the water she drinks as well?
With 75% of water in the human body, how is she expected to live?
I just wonder how a person allergic to water could live, How do they drink more importantly. Is there a sort of dry powder that allows them to drink or what?
she only breaks out when she touches water or sweats so it's presumably just a skin allergy
It's weird it says about 100 people have this in the world but a bunch of kids I went to high school were allergic to water and could never shower
I had no idea this was even possible... What an unfortunate thing to deal with..
It's extremely rare. I really have some issue believing that
I'm glad it specified that it's more of a skin allergy than anything else. If it was a full on allergic reaction no matter the context she wouldn't have made it to 18 months. Unfortunate that she'll probably never be able to swim or properly sanitize without fear of horrible rashes unless there is something to completely nullify the allergy.
Of all things to be allergic to, poor baby.
Just some google searching says stuff like oral benadryl or steroid cream helps nullify the rashes. Considering that it's an allergic reaction I'd imagine treatment would be similar to other allergens.
Imagine having this and being out in a storm or a shower, you couldn't even go outside without getting an allergic reaction.
I have just regular allergies and it's insufferable, I can't imagine how awful this would be. Poor thing.
I knew a guy who was so fat that his body was 130% water.
It's fucking terrifying how the body can just decide, "No, you're going to be allergic to this necessary part of human life."
this and sun allergies have to be the worst possible allergies you could have. It's crazy how humans can be allergic to seemingly anything
did his gravitational field attract a permanent body of water about him or what
My little sister's school had a kid with water allergy and from what i heard he apparently died few years ago at age of 13-14
Imagine getting burned by your own tears
A friend of mine is allergic to both water and the sun, but not severely thank god. He can only shower for 5/10 minutes before his skin turns red and starts to itch. Same with the sun but he can endure that for a maximum of 30 minutes depending on the weather ofcourse. Going somewhere with him can be quite a chore thanks to that.
Smething tells me she is just hyperallergic to things in the water like chlorine/minerals/etc. Probably minerals if she rashes after sweating.
I knew a guy who was allergic to most forms of vegetation, Spring was hell for him. I can't even imagine what this would be like.
I get wet taking a sip of my drink sometimes, I feel bad for her.
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