I'm Allergic To Water - And People Ask Me If I Shower | BORN DIFFERENT
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- čas přidán 18. 01. 2024
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21-YEAR-OLD Abbie lives with aquagenic urticaria - a rare condition that means she is allergic to water. When her skin comes into contact with water for too long, it breaks out into "red, itchy hives", which have often been so painful that Abbie has wanted to "scratch my skin off." She first noticed symptoms when she was 16 and without knowing what she was dealing with, Abbie's mum, Amanda, was concerned: "I was worried because I didn't know what it was. As a parent you always worry if something's not quite right." After months of doctors' appointments and testing, Abbie finally received a diagnosis and learned that there is no cure. Since then, she has been on a steep learning curve and will often receive questions about how she washes and whether she is able to drink. As the condition only affects her external skin, she limits showers to a maximum of 10 minutes, takes four antihistamines a day to calm her flare-ups and always takes an umbrella when she leaves the house. Abbie's friend, Amy, remembers learning of her friend's condition and thinking "how can you be allergic to water?" but has since witnessed how "she deals with her condition very well - I don't know many people who would be able to handle it as well as you do." Abbie's secret? "I've just tried to have a positive outlook on the condition and the situation because I don't really want it to get me down."
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Videographer: Marcus Hessenberg
Producers: Kim Nguyen, Tom Buckman, Courtney Buabeng, Georgia Embling
Editor: Dalene Low
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i saw someone make fun of her weight. do you know how cruel and painfoul it would be for her to exercise? all the sweat would literally make her feel inflamed.
Making fun of her weight?? WOW HOW ORIGINAL OF THEM 😂
If I were cruel enough I would have said if a bucket of water fell on her she would quote the Wicked Witch of the West's dying words.
Whoever made fun of her weight I don’t think they didn’t even heard the whole video. They must be here just to hate in random people for NO DAMN REASON. They just attention seekers or probably never had the attention they needed 😂
Weight is from eating less, even without exercise. But I don't think her illness is obesity related
@@cynthiaholland13 not exactly. You should eat until you're full. It can help to change the food you eat and even eat smaller portions throughout the day instead of just 3 small meals. Either way, you shouldn't have to restrict yourself
She is a very brave girl. I can’t imagine being allergic to something that so prevalent in our lives. I hope they find better treatments for her alleviate this allergy
My mom also was allergic to water. She would break out with hives and very itchy skin! She would only wash with a wash cloth and mild soap and very fast! I know that she suffered from depression because she was unable to shower or bathe like the majority of the population. …..
Is she still allergic to water because you said she WAS allergic to water
@@Lialove-cw2jd my mom passed 2009..
@@diamondsanddenim4180 so sorry to hear that. Do you mind telling me what happened to her ❓
@@Lialove-cw2jd , I don’t mind. She died from lung cancer. I miss her very day !
@@diamondsanddenim4180she must’ve been a good mother. I understand depression from having health issues and being forced to not live normally. I can’t imagine never being able to experience a relaxing bath, bubble bath as a kid, swimming pools, hot tubs etc. and just living everyday must’ve been stressful with limited jobs too. I’m glad you didn’t inherit that illness. So sorry she also experience cancer. May she continue to rest in peace
As someone with several chronic conditions it annoys me when people say "I don't know how you cope with it" because it's not like it's a choice. You just do what you have to do to make it through the day and try to live your life. 🤷🏻♀️
I'm so happy to see a video about this. I have the same condition, but with many more triggers than just water (idiopathic chronic urticaria and angioedema). When uncontrolled, it is a nightmare and life-threatening. She's so positive about dealing with it.
Have you come across washing with oils?
I suspect I may have this too- being in water for more than ten minutes makes me break out in itchy rashes all over my trunk and sometimes on other parts of my body. If I cry for any extended amount of time, my cheeks will become very itchy and I will want to scratch my face off. Someone once asked if I had poison ivy when they saw me at work one morning because that morning the rash was on my neck and hadn't disappeared until after I started the workday! As someone who struggles to stay warm, I'm willing to sacrifice being able to stay clear of rashes in favor of being warm/warming up. I've had this condition for the better part of 30 years.
On the other end of the extreme, may or may not be related, there have been times when I have been in a hot shower or bath and my palms will start burning under the skin, like the worst capsasin you have ever felt from a pepper. The only way to relieve it is by running under cool water. I don't wish this on my worst enemy!
i have cold urticaria which had become chronic, epi pens, cyclosprorin twice a day and fexofenidne 4 times a day, its an awful allergy, must be worse to be allergic to water.
@@zoggyzoom Sorry if this is insensitive, but couldn't you just move somewhere warm? Also what temperature sets it off?
Sorry this may be a dumb question but does all water effect you the same? Like if you were to get highly purified water from areas of this world with less contamination (like Nordic Spring Water) would you react differently?
Her relationship with her Mom is so lovely 🥰 they've both got great attitudes.
00:00 🤧 Abby has aquagenic urticaria, a rare condition where her skin is allergic to water, causing red, itchy hives.
1:20 🌡 Abby takes four antihistamines daily to manage flare-ups but acknowledges it doesn't stop them completely.
2:00 🚿 Despite her water allergy, Abby showers regularly, facing more reactions on her back and neck.
2:27 📅 Symptoms started at 16, and it took about 10 months of doctor visits, dermatologist appointments, and tests to get a diagnosis.
4:23 🧪 Diagnosis involved a basic test where water was applied to Abby's back, triggering the reaction and confirming the condition.
5:02 🤔 Abby's mom expressed initial worry about long-term effects of medication, but Abby copes well, taking it day by day.
5:32 🎥 Abby and a friend aim to raise awareness about aquagenic urticaria by making a TikTok video.
6:54 😌 Abby stays positive, adapting well to her water allergy, and is proud of how she's handled the situation.
Sorry, I just checked the description and her name is spelt “Abbie”.
Love the emojis! ❤
@@sowhosasking Yea, me too.
Maybe its the water in that area 🧐 - its something in the water.
@@Watcher23935I doubt it. Cos in the video they said they travelled down to a specialist hospital in London where Abbie's mum had to rub water on her back for 20 mins and she had a reaction. Though maybe it's to do with hard water.... You're now making me think if she'd get a different reaction with bottled water or soft water.
Bless her heart! I can't imagine going through that.
I think you're stronger than you give yourself credit. Good job raising awareness about your condition. I know it might be hard because not too many other people can relate to that but you're doing so well at it.
Aw man I feel for her. I do hope other treatments become available to alleviate her water allergy❤
Man, I can’t imagine having to plan around rain like that. Guess small umbrellas are a godsend for people who have this condition.
Also, having to try and manage your emotions to keep from crying too much? I can’t imagine that as I’m a very emotional person.
When you cry you have to wipe your tears away quickly
Especially when she lives in such a rainy place
Me neither
I've been going through some things in my life and Abby seeing ur positivity in such a situation has rubbed off on me. Thank you and stay strong. Hope u see this comment Abby.
I have the same allergy. For me the itch is enough to bring me to tears. The more I scratch, the more bumps, the more itching. Atarax and Benadryl helps little. I've been this way since childhood. It's hard when people dont believe you and wag their tongues without understanding...
Just asking, but if its a very hot day you sweat, does sweat hurts..?
Hugs!
I'm allergic to water as well and I can drink water just fine. It is not well known with the doctors and it doesn't bother me as much but after a while it does start to bother me.
I’m VERY allergic to water, I have an external allergy, not an internal allergy. Thus I can drink water….but my external allergy is very severe, I’ve been sent home from work whenever the AC has gone out because my sweat (I react to the most, itchy, blotchy, hives) I live in FL USA when I was in grade school, I had a medical pass If it were to rain I could either stay in that class or leave to go to my next one, this year in Florida It got so hot during the summer that I broke out and my leg bubbled up my skin separated, and burst, now I have permanent scars, when I cry my face breaks out in hives, I am a part of a research study right now to figure out what causes this one in a few million allergy but MY POINT IS how do I get on social media for this?
Usual, follow up questions, yes, I can drink water, no, I won’t die, yes, I do take a shower, it goes away after a while when I dry off, yes, even if it’s cold. Even if it’s salt, water or freshwater or distilled. yes, I have tested , yes I have met with a dermatologist and once again no it is not due to the heat of the water. Ty for listening to my Ted talk
Go on Abbie!! I’m so proud of you xx
Well it's good to know she can control it, its still a scary condition she has 😢
Poor thing she is so brave for sharing her story and so inspiring and unbelievable person and unbelievable women and positivity and love her sweet personality I appreciate her so much admire her so she beautiful ❤
frr❤
That’s crazy not being able to shower normal 😫
I have this as well, it’s not as rare as you’d think it is! Still, it’s incredibly painful to deal with but room temperature water is best for dealing with the flair ups, but it doesn’t help me much.
Glad she’s carrying on, finding happiness every day!!
I have chronic urticaria and urticaria vascalitus caused by fibromyalgia its the most itchy painful thing ever there is nothing you can do 😢 I really feel for you! ❤
Yeah, nice one girl. She's extremely brave and strong to be so positive. I wouldn't be able to
Oh… I hope that she’s doing well. Something like that affects quality of everyday life and may affect mental health.
I am allergic to salt water. Thankfully, I am ok with fresh water; but salt water causes me the same reaction as Abby describes here. Red hot skin, itch, hives and rash, bumps and pustules… it is uncomfortable and does not look good. It is much easier to avoid salt water than to avoid contact with any water at all… and I still face some issues sometimes. Family trips to seaside are a bit difficult for me, but cutting myself off completely would do more mental harm. I just have to make sure there is a source of fresh water within my reach - some beaches have freshwater
showers and changing rooms, that is enough for me to prevent skin reaction. Sometimes I have to bring few large bottles of fresh water with me to wash away salt from my skin 😅 sometimes it’s easier to avoid swimming in the sea at all. It’s ok.
I am also allergic to sunlight, so I have to avoid long sun exposure, or my skin would do the same (redness, swelling, rash, itch, blisters etc.). Sunscreen helps to some extent, but not 100%, so I have to be careful to not stay in the open sun. Staying in the shadow is usually enough to avoid bad allergic reaction; I can cope with mild reactions.
It’s always a game of balance between physical comfort and mental health. I mean that it is possible to extremely minimize sun exposure, but it would mean that I have to stay inside fully clothed and with closed window blinds… my skin reactions are not that bad. I don’t mind getting a little bit of red itchy skin from short sun exposure while spending time with my loved ones. At the same time, I would not swim in the sea if I can’t wash it off my body immediately after, no matter how fun it is, because if I do, I’ll get rather bad skin reaction all over my body, and it will require weeks to heal and calm down.
Let her life be simple and nice!
I have urticaria too, but I'm allergic to stress. The hives are horrible- it also makes me eyes swell up like when people react badly to hair dye
how do you manage it? that sounds very tough to deal with.
I developed my allergy to water January of last year. For the first 6 months I worked on eliminating factors that might have contributing…I discovered during that time that I am allergic to water, heat(so yes hot water does it double), and sunlight. Pressure can also give me painful and itchy hives too. I too take antihistamines to help, minimize exposure to all said triggers, use mild pain management for it, and thank goodness my family always make sure to take the extra time/steps to keep me safe(have me stay inside or in the car till the umbrella is ready to go, making sure I have clothes that cover me so I don’t get wet or get too much sun, wipe off any condensation so my hands don’t brake out, things like that). I limit my bathing to 20 minutes a couple days a week and make sure I always have dry clothing and a blow dryer for my hair.
I can’t lie it is rough, especially seeing as in previous years of my life I wasn’t allergic to water, heat or sunlight, but I have a supportive family and a medical plan in place that helps a lot so I know I’ll be ok.
@@emigon11 my water allergy limits the time I can come in contact with water. 20 minutes tops for bathing is what I get before hives start forming. I can’t leave my hair wet, can’t leave sweat, can’t leave water on my skin for more than 20 minutes otherwise I brake out in hives. It has nothing to do with breathing.
W family
Sending positivity to Abbie.
That can happen. Your video is very educating. Thankyou for doing this video! I would love to learn more.
Right
We're really glad you enjoyed the video 🙂
I have cold urticaria and that alone sucks so much! I can’t even be in front of a fan or have the AC blow in my skin when I’m driving. The pain sometimes is a lot so I get it .
People can be so intrusive ‼️🤦🏽♀️💜🙏🏽
She's very pretty. I wish her the best!!!!
Its more common than people think. Suddenly i got it on my back, chest, neck and upper arms after hot showers at first then it started happening if i was hot and sweaty and after swims and even under a wet patch on my shirt and it went away completely a year later. Dr reckons it has something to do with my childhood asthma
I have been diagnosed with this as well, thankfully for me it isn't there constantly only when i get really stressed. Livinng somewhere where the summer gets really hot it is truly a nightmare, sweating is just so painful and for me the salty ocean water makes my reaction 10x worse than fresh water, pools are the least painful reaction thankfully.
Your story is very interesting. Have you ever had complete Mast Cell testing? Urticaria is a very common symptom with mast cell diseases and the treatment is high dose antihistamines. Mast cell disease is your body having allergic reactions to things you are not really allergic to. I take 4 Zyrtec (an H1 antihistamine) and 4 Pepcid (an H2 antihistamine), Ketotifen (another antihistamine that has to be compounded), Singulair and Xolair to keep mine under control. I’m not triggered by water but exercise can’t trigger it, stress can trigger it and anything high in histamines can trigger it. It took 7 doctors to get diagnosed. It is an autoimmune disorder. Might be interesting to see if you have any test for mast cell that come back positive.
I have it too but not as bad, I get the hives every time and there is a risk of fainting if in the water for too long. I've had it from early childhood.
Glad im not the only one, when water hits my skin it starts burning and itching....its a pain to have a shower or bath 😭 i was about 15 when it started.
There are many different things that can cause that. For example lot of autistic people often share their experiences with showering comparing it to feeling pain on the whole body. Also I do have chlorine allergy that makes my face and chest turn red and become itchy. There can be many different explanations to that. The actual water allergy is super rare and you would most definitely had it diagnosed already.
After never having an issue, I was scratching myself from head to toe. My doctor told me that I was allergic to something, you just need to figure out what. I went through everything, trying to figure out what I was allergic too. In the end I had huge holes in my flesh and was yellow, I was sent to the hospital, where I was told that it wasn’t an allergic reaction but a gallstone lodged in a passageway between my gallbladder and my liver. They removed it, and eventually removed the gallbladder, because it had more stones inside. It was crazy, how much I was scratching, so itchy everywhere. Thankfully it is fixed now. I hope 🤞 that soon the doctors will find a solution for this problem too. Love ❤️ from Australia 🇦🇺
My daughter had this too ended up some of the chemical in city water was doing it. Have you tried purified/ distilled water? Maybe you have was just wondering.
Bless her ♥️
BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL young lady ! ❤
i have cold urticaria, being covered in hives is the most uncomfortable thing every, i really feel for her, water you cannot avoid.
Myself and my mum have this - pretty mild cases that we can control but it’s nowhere near as rare as you’d think
I actually have Cold Urticaria and have the blotchy itching rash. I'm allergic to cold. It's usually mainly on my legs, but it can come up in different areas if I get to cold. I was in shock when I found out what it was. I didn't even know you could be allergic to cold or heat.
ABBIE AND AMY LOOK MORE LIKE BIOLOGICAL SISTERS. BLESS HER ❤️
i had cold urticaria, but it was only temporary. i used to go swim in the ocean, and break out in hives all over my body for around an hour afterwards. it made winter EXTREMELY uncomfortable, my hands would get full of hives and would swell up like balloons. then after around 9 months, it disappeared and hasn’t come back since.
I have a type of Urticaria caused by temperature. If its too hot or if its too humid, I break out in hives and a rash. It can get to the point that it makes me dizzy and get stomach pains that feel like a bad upset stomach. It definitely has limited some stuff I can do which sucks.
Can the water be filtered? Sometimes water can be too "hard". It can also make your skin extremely dry. 😢
I have an aunt who has this. Everyone thought she was nuts for the longest time. But it is real. And it sucks.
My church member Tammy is allergic to water😢.. hope find a good treatment for her. 🙏
I kinda get what you're going through because I do have mild chlorine allergy. My face and chest are always red after getting out of the shower but it rarely burns that bad I need to scratch it that badly. I remember once going to the swimming pool right after they changed water and by mistake they've put too much chlorine and I ended up on ER with burns on my body. That is also why I can't drink tap water - it makes my stomach turn.
I just wonder one thing: If you have water allergy how can you possibly use face cream? It's mostly water after all.
How does she wash her hair? Does her scalp flare up? I don't think they mentioned that as she has beautiful long hair.
I’m just guessing wildly here (as someone who has similarly long hair and who struggles with showers for different medical reasons). Perhaps she has one shower where she JUST washes her hair, and then a seperate shower later on (or on a different day) where she wears a shower cap to keep her hair dry and only focuses on her body? This means she can keep showers short enough so that she won’t be exposed to water long enough to trigger a reaction. Also this may sound gross to some people, but once you go through the initial adjustment period, the less frequently you wash your hair, the less frequently you need to (with slight variations for each individual of course). So she may only wash her hair once or twice a week, then perhaps just use dry shampoo if it gets a little oily and she wants to make it last an extra day. Either that or she is a ninja who has figured out how to wash her body and hair SUPER fast and efficiently!
This seems to be a relatively mild form of the condition. I have seen patients who break out instantly on any part of their skin that is touched with water and become so inflamed it is painful for them to move. I’ve also seen patients who struggle to drink water because their lips become so inflamed, itchy and painful that they can’t even eat after contact with water.
I have aquagenic pruritus, so i get severe itching and a rash when I come in contact with water. If i cry too much, my eyelids swell and itch and my lashes fall out. My pruritus was gradual. It started out as just itching for a few years, then i started getting the rash. It's awful. It feels like ants biting my whole body. It's something I wouldn't wish on anyone.
I am allergic to cold and my oldest son is allergic to heat...
Im confused...shes allergic to water but used water throughout...
I just did a quick Google search. There's actually a hydrophobic cream that athletic swimmers use, to reduce friction in the water. Something that's hydrophobic completely repels water. For instances where she needs to just live life, out in the world, I think doing some research on how costly that could be for general use, could be a smart idea. Even if she only uses it when she goes to concerts, I think it would give her a lot more freedom. Living with that condition in one of the rainiest countries in the world must be a nightmare.
I have the same condition only it comes in different areas of the body.
People think when you say allergic that you're gonna just swell up and Stop breathing and all the stuff. When most the time you just get a rash.
Your daughter is so wonderful and just awesome
She's so pretty anyways i do have allergies too i have skin ashma i cant eat eggs/pineapples/soya/sea foods i know the feeling of having allergies it really affect your mental health im glad my doctor is good there is no cure for allergies i just have to avoid food that contains allergens
I wonder if certain eczema medications like monoclonal antibody injections would actually work for this. Maybe there's some way to block an immune chemical to prevent the body from reacting like this.
Have you heard of washing with oils? I feel like that would be perfect for someone like you.
I have this. I come up in huge welts after having a shower. I’ve had it almost all my life. Never officially diagnosed but I also have MCAS.
I have chronic urticaria. I feel for her. It is a curse I don't wish in anyone.
You have the same disease?
Hey I just subscribed to your channel. I'm from Australia.
I was allergic to Beef in my childhood When i had beef ,My skin would have Hives itch . I have skipped beef untill i m mature and Now i am pretty well With No Allergic reaction Peace out
Certified Gold!!!!!
So when everyone asks her how she showers she showers like everyone else every week
I have a friend with this condition. Water, sweat, tears, didn't matter. Her children did not inherit it.
I suppose if it helped she could maybe break up her shower into days. Like one day she only washed her hair and another day she washed half her body.
I have a mild case… my break out area is my chest and inter my boobs…
My heart goes out to her!!
Brave girl making the best of a best situation. Nature does some effed up things. Geezos. Wishing her well.
Is it the tap water?
Thank you Abby for your video too
I wonder if it's something in their local water causing the problem, and if she used distilled filtered water for washing, would it be the same?
So very sorry your allergic to water😢😢😢
I break out in hives but not like that just can't sleep without my allergy pills or my hives will flare up it makes me itchy It started when I was 18.
Can’t believe people are commenting about her weight, she’s probably depressed because of her condition which will likely result in her not eating well
I am not allergic to water but i have lemon allergy
I can't believe it . Someone can bring allergic to something that keeps us alive
I have this! And i’m in Gambia West Africa🇬🇲
Such a beautiful girl
I know how much this Illnes hurts
It sucks
Oh my. This woman is allergic to water? That’s shocking
I have always thought i was allergic or at least sensitive to water. I itch all the time after being wet.
Every WEEK??? NOT DAYYYYS:??
Right?
Some of the comments here 🤦♀️ Did you even watch the video? Did you listen? Did you THINK? Aye…
She is a mermaid 🧜♀️
Does that mean any liquid touching her externally gives her hives? Does that include makeup?
Crazy. I wonder if salt water would be worse? But there are a lot of people who feel all life on earth started in water.
You’re not the only one one of my parent educator is allergic to water
That’s tough! No relaxing baths
No swimming
Lord help me not be ungrateful so many things I take for granted
My mom has a Co worker who actually has the same thing! 😢
What are my chances of developing an allergy to water
I fear that so much, because how can I drink, bathe and as a religious person do purification rituals?
Praying that this is just an uncommon phase within Abbie's life and that the Lord God restores her to full health and wellness. 🤍
"Hey, wanna go swimming" "yea actually I cant cause I'm allergic to water" 💀💀
I have a cousin allergic to water! Never heard of anyone else with it. Hope a cure comes soon
Man that's a rough life 😓 I thought I was sensitive because I get hives from touching cardboard
I have this issue too. It’s annoying as hell on certain areas like the back and thighs. If there was a god, we’d surely not have to deal with this curse.