Ever Heard Of A Water Allergy? This American Teen Cannot Take A Shower Without Breaking Into Hives

Imagine being allergic to water! This young girl has a severe allergy to water and it is so bad that she cannot even cry or take a shower without breaking out in painful hives.

Abigail Beck, from Tucson in Arizona, US, suffers from Aquagenic Urticaria, which means her body is incredibly sensitive to water. The 15-year-old was diagnosed last month - she can't even drink water without being sick, and instead, drinks energy drinks or pomegranate juice.

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"My own tears cause a reaction where my face goes red and burns really badly," she said.

"I cry like a normal person and it hurts. Tears are one of the worst parts of it because when you cry, your tears shouldn't burn your skin. It runs my life but I don't want it to. I throw up if I drink water, my chest hurts really bad and my hearts starts beating really fast."

She added: "I have to check labels but everything in this world has water in it. The last time I drank water was a year ago. I'm scared that if it gets out of control one day, no one will know what to do including myself."

Aquagenic urticaria develops quickly after the skin comes in contact with water, regardless of its temperature. It is most commonly found in women, with symptoms often starting around puberty.

Since her reaction to her allergy is so severe, the teenager only showers once every couple of days and drinks just the tiniest amount of water. She also has to take rehydration pills as well as antihistamines and steroids to tackle the reactions.

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Three years, the 15-year-old started exhibiting symptoms. Abigail recalled: "When it rained it hurt really badly, it felt like acid. I thought it was normal so I asked my mum if rain felt like acid to her when it rained and she said no."

"It took a long time to get an actual doctor that could help, I didn't want to seem crazy," she added.

In order to avoid contact with water as much as she can, Abigail wears a 'jacket and three pairs of sweatpants' if she goes out in the rain. She also wants to raise awareness of the little-understood condition.

Abigail said: "It gets really frustrating. People ask me to explain how it works and I can but I can't explain why it happens because nobody knows or understands it."

Abigail's dad, Michael Beck praised her for her courage. He said: "She handles it really well. I, of course, hate to see my daughter in pain. I often wish I could take the pain for her. I feel hopeless. Like I want to cure it right now, but can't. I worry, but not completely. I do not think her allergy is so bad that water can kill her of course, but I worry about her overall health and we are looking at different things that can hydrate her to keep her healthy."

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