BY GEORGE NAVA TRUE II
RACHEL Warwick of the United Kingdom (UK) loves to swim and dance in the rain, but she can’t. Doing these things is something short of suicide. Zaria Gorvett of BBC Future reported that Warwick showers only once a week and can only drink milk.
Michaela Dutton, also from the UK, can’t drink water, juice, tea, or coffee. She can only take diet cola and her bath time is limited to about 10 seconds every week. Radha Chitale and Kirk Fernandes of ABC News reported that she also has to avoid certain fruits and vegetables.
Warwick and Dutton are suffering from water allergy or aquagenic urticaria. Dr. Marcus Maurer, a dermatologist and founder of the European Centre for Allergy Foundation in Germany, said this rare disease affects only one in every 230 million people or about 32 people worldwide.
Water itch is unbearable
Those figures are not alarming, but for the few people who have what’s known as water itch or water urticaria, coming in contact with water of any type or temperature is an unbearable experience. Warwick said it’s like going to hell, while Dutton calls it horrible.
And why shouldn’t it be? Warwick said that drinking a glass of water is very painful while dipping her toe in a pool is like immersing it in a vat of acid. She has to hold back her tears because they can burn her face. Exercise is a no-no because her sweat produces the same effect.
On the other hand, Dutton had to be careful when carrying her son before, especially when he was asleep. That’s because when his saliva drips on her skin, it can trigger a painful reaction. The same thing happens when she stands in the rain.
You’re probably wondering how these people can survive without this life-giving fluid. After all, humans need water to live.
How much water do we have?
Dr. Jeffrey Utz of Allegheny College in Pennsylvania said different people have different amounts of water in their bodies. Babies’ bodies have 78%.water which drops to 65% when they are a year old. Adult men have about 60% water, while women have 55% since they have more fat.
Parts of the body with water, according to the Journal of Biological Chemistry, include:
* Bones (31%)
* Brain and heart (73%)
* Lungs (83%)
* Muscles and kidneys (79%)
* Skin (64%)
How does water help the body? The US Geological Survey said that this vital fluid is important to the life of every cell. Among its many functions are:
* Acts as a shock absorber for the brain, spinal cord, and fetus
* Forms saliva
* Flushes out waste through urination
* Lubricates joints
* Regulates internal body temperature by sweating and respiration
* Transports carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food in the bloodstream
How the body reacts to allergy
To understand what water allergy is, let’s see what happens during an allergic reaction. When the body’s immune system detects an allergen (the thing that causes the allergy), it fights back by producing antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE).
These antibodies rush to cells and release histamines that are stored in the mast cells to protect the body from the allergen. This is what causes several symptoms in the ears, nose, lungs, throat, or on the skin like sneezing, rashes, watery eyes, or a runny nose. It’s your body’s way of getting rid of the offending allergen.
But when the immune system overreacts and the symptoms worsen, that’s the time to take antihistamines to relieve your suffering and control this reaction.
There are different types of IgE that target different allergens. This explains why certain people are allergic to certain things like pollen, pet dander, or dust. Some people only react to pet dander since they only have the IgE antibodies for that specific allergen, while others have allergic reactions to various allergens since they have a lot of IgE antibodies, explained the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
Common reactions to allergens
One common body reaction to an allergen is urticaria or hives. These are red, itchy welts that suddenly appear on the skin, face, tongue, or ears. WebMD said they can be as small as a pencil eraser or as big as a dinner plate.
Hives that join together and form larger areas are called plaques. They can be triggered by taking high blood pressure or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Hives also appear if the person is allergic to certain foods like chocolate, eggs, milk, nuts, or fish. They can last for hours or a day before they fade away.
Researchers don’t know why some substances trigger allergies and others don’t, or why some individuals have allergic reactions yet others remain fine. What is known is that a family history of allergies puts you at risk of developing certain allergies.
Water allergy is not a true allergy
Although aquagenic urticaria is called an allergy, doctors said the condition is not a true allergic reaction like other forms of urticaria. It appears to be caused by an immune reaction to something in the body, rather than an overreaction to something foreign like pollen or other allergens.
Researchers believe the interaction between water and something in or on the skin may be involved. The substance formed by this interaction triggers the condition. Genetics may be involved and the condition may be related to other allergies like lactose intolerance.
Symptoms of water allergy
The first case of water allergy appeared in 1964. More women than men are affected and it usually develops during puberty. However, Dr. Thomas Casale of the AAAAI said that aquagenic urticaria is unique because it is not caused by water in the body but the water that touches the body. When this happens, patients can experience the following symptoms:
* Itching without physical hives (aquagenic pruritus)
* Pain (aquadynia)
* Red- or skin-colored welts or wheals that can occur anywhere on the body but are usually found on the neck, upper trunk, and arms
* Small hives, which may or may not itch
* Swollen skin
All types of water can trigger the condition, including:
* Chemical-free distilled water
* Rain
* Saliva
* Seawater
* Snow
* Sweat
* Swimming pool water
* Tap water
* Tears
* The water of any temperature
Once water is removed, the rash disappears within 30 to 60 minutes. In some, the condition lasts for hours.
The long wait for a cure
Warwick was around 12 years old when a rash appeared on her skin after swimming. She was thankful that her doctor knew what it was. Dutton developed rashes when she bathed a week after her son was born, leading others to think that the condition may be related to a hormonal imbalance after childbirth.
Since people with water allergy also produce histamine that cause redness and hives if they touch water, powerful antihistamines should help. But results have been mixed and there have been no breakthroughs in treatment. Most drugs simply relieve symptoms, but they won’t cure the condition.
In the meantime, sufferers of this devastating disease can only wait until a real solution arrives. And patients like Warwick and Dutton can only look in frustration at people who drink, swim, or play in the water.
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National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column that has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, email geogenavatrue@yahoo.com./PN
