inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
mosquito-borne diseases affect up to 700 million people each year. learn more
powered by: valneva canada inc.
home / diseases & conditions / allergies

can you be allergic to water? yes you can, and it has a name: aquagenic urticaria

aquagenic urticaria is a rare condition that causes itchy hives to develop when the skin comes into contact with water.

by karen hawthorne

apr 24 2023
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
a water allergy is considered a rare disease
those with aquagenic urticaria can safely consume water, but should avoid water to skin contact which would cause an allergic reaction. getty

yes, it’s true. there is a rare condition called aquagenic urticaria which causes people to have an allergic skin reaction to water.

if you thought coping with a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and sneezing during ragweed season when the plant’s pollen is released into the air was a major nuisance, things could be worse. imagine getting nasty hives and bumps as often as several times a day when you come into contact with water. it can be devastating, interfering with work, social and daily life. and what about taking a shower or a bath? walking in the rain is no picnic either.

“we just don’t know,” says dr. benjamin barankin, dermatologist, medical director and founder of toronto dermatology centre , when asked what causes a water allergy. “the water seems to cause a histamine release from mast cells in the skin that leads to hives, which is consistent with an allergy. mast cells are immune cells in connective tissue throughout the body. they regulate immune responses, blood vessel formation and dilation, and overall balance.”

barankin, who has served on the executive of the canadian dermatology association and is a sought-after investigator in clinical research trials on skin conditions and treatments, says that no one has a full understanding of why aquagenic urticaria happens or the factors that could put you at risk.

related stories

eczema: do you know the signs?
while there is no cure for eczema, symptoms can be avoided by identifying and steering clear of the triggers that result in flare-ups.
eczema is a hereditary condition and not contagious but there is no cure and flare-ups can take a heavy toll on quality of life. getty

watch: we tried to fight back against post-holiday acne with the tiktok #seasalt spray
using salt water to treat a litany of skin concerns has been around for thousands of years, but there aren’t many studies on the benefits.
salt water may help with mild symptoms of a breakout — like redness or a bit of swelling — but won’t do much to help with deeper issues. getty

advertisement

what does a water allergy look like?

when people with the condition come into skin contact with water, they develop itchy hives — usually on the neck, upper torso and arms, although it can happen anywhere on the body. the hives are made up of red-coloured raised bumps on the skin called wheals that start to fade anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours after the skin is dry.
aquagenic urticaria is particularly challenging because even contact with your sweat and tears can trigger a reaction.
“the rash can spread to affect areas that didn’t touch water,” says barankin. “the wheals usually disappear within 30 to 120 minutes after stopping contact with water. people feel itching, burning and prickling.”
in rare instances, symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath can occur.

lack of scientific study

boston university school of medicine researchers reviewed the diagnostic and management challenges of the condition in the journal of asthma and allergy, pointing to the lack of scientific study and the low numbers of people with the condition — estimated at about 50 cases in 2016. they findings showed that while there have been child-onset patients, aquagenic urticaria is more common in younger women and those with a family history. symptoms can dissipate with aging.

advertisement

besides being uncomfortable, urticaria can have an impact on mental health as well. in fact, according to a  canadian review in allergy, asthma and clinical immunology of all types chronic urticaria — where hives can happen spontaneously or be linked to foods, infections, medications or insect stings — patients experience high levels of anxiety.

what kind of doctor treats urticaria?

barankin says that urticaria is more commonly treated by an allergist, but it is seen in dermatology clinics periodically because of reactions to infections and medications. his clinic has a web page devoted to explaining urticaria .

can someone allergic to water drink it?

and while we know that water is essential to keep hydrated and healthy, thankfully people with aquagenic urticaria can safely consume water. however, if any water comes into contact with the skin, there will likely be a reaction.

how is a water allergy treated?

the best treatment is to eliminate contact with water when possible, which can be tricky. antihistamines can be prescribed to provide relief and are most effective if they’re taken on a regular schedule to prevent hives from forming.
“non-sedating antihistamines are very safe and can be taken daily as a preventative, or one hour before exposure to water,” says barankin.

advertisement

an important takeaway is that you don’t have to figure out an allergy alone — see a dermatologist or allergist for treatment and ongoing care.
 
karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.
don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter

thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts.

karen hawthorne
karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto as a freelancer, and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

read more about the author

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
close-up of female doctor with a spray or nasal drops for the treatment of a runny nose over white background.
first-ever nasal spray for severe allergic reactions gets approval in u.s.
summer time. sad modern 40 years old woman in white shirt with handkerchief and eyeglasses has an allergy attack near flowering tree.
itchy eyes, stuffy nose? essentials for seasonal allergy relief
medical doctor doing allergy tests in laboratory
diagnosed with allergies: managing treatment, support and daily life
happy little girl blowing a flower in outside. cheerful child having fun playing and blowing a dandelion into the air in a park. kid having fun with joy playing with a plant outdoors
allergies in canada: stats, types, and resources
young woman suffering from allergies to cat's fur and sneezes.
living with allergies: testing, treatments and clearing the air
you may also like
close-up of female doctor with a spray or nasal drops for the treatment of a runny nose over white background.
first-ever nasal spray for severe allergic reactions gets approval in u.s.
summer time. sad modern 40 years old woman in white shirt with handkerchief and eyeglasses has an allergy attack near flowering tree.
itchy eyes, stuffy nose? essentials for seasonal allergy relief
medical doctor doing allergy tests in laboratory
diagnosed with allergies: managing treatment, support and daily life
happy little girl blowing a flower in outside. cheerful child having fun playing and blowing a dandelion into the air in a park. kid having fun with joy playing with a plant outdoors
allergies in canada: stats, types, and resources
you may also like
close-up of female doctor with a spray or nasal drops for the treatment of a runny nose over white background.
first-ever nasal spray for severe allergic reactions gets approval in u.s.
summer time. sad modern 40 years old woman in white shirt with handkerchief and eyeglasses has an allergy attack near flowering tree.
itchy eyes, stuffy nose? essentials for seasonal allergy relief