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Allergic to water?!?!?!!?

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Posted 6/13/2008 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Ok I have to ask. . . .has anyone ever been told they have a skin allergy to water? I thought my doctor was loosing his marbles when he told me that but sure enough when I take zyrtec (have been for 5 years now) I am fine. Skip my zyrtec for more than 2 days and within 10 minutes of taking a shower, swimming (in chlorinated or fresh water) washing my hands . . . .just about anything water related you can think of. . . .I start to itch anywhere I was exposed and if the exposure was long enough I get hives. Cold water takes longer to react to but either way hot or cold I'm getting hives.

There's plenty of jokes about how I can't go to work if it's raining etc but am I really the only one?
Posted 6/13/2008 10:21 PM (GMT 0)

Surely you are not the only one with this condition.  I would certainly try very hard not to miss that Zrytec.  Trying looking on the bright side, at least you have a medication that takes care of it.  I hear hives are very uncomfortable.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 6/14/2008 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Are you sure it is the water itself, or some additive in the water - such as chlorine? I get hives on my forehead every time I take a shower, I get blotchy red skin from any exposure to swimming pools or bath/showers, and cannot drink tap water without getting sick to my stomach. I don't think H20 (the chemical formula for water) is the culprit, but rather stuff that is added to the water or not filtered out at the drinking water treatment facility. One of my allergies is Fluoride (added to tap water for the purpose of strengthening teeth), and that could very well be the culprit in my case. But there are a lot of other things in tap water that can cause problems too - recently, for example, research has discovered trace amounts of a wide variety of prescription medications in water. I can't help but wonder what the implications of that are for people with severe allergies to some prescriptions. The bottom line is that I think you might want to discuss the possibility of chlorine or other additives in water as the cause of your problem. Glad the Zyrtec helps, but would be good to know what is in the water that you are reacting to. Do you get these reactions if you travel to a different place? Might want to contact your local water treatment facility to find out what all is in the water, too.

Good luck,
Posted 6/15/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)

I do know you can be allergic to water but it is extremely rare. More likely is a reaction to an additive in the water (Natural or Man-Made) Chlorine, Lime and Sodium and probably the most common.

Darren

Posted 6/16/2008 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I first suspected chlorine myself because I was on town water and was swimming in the local high school pool but then I moved to a house on a well with no chlorine (I had the well tested for that reason) or fluoride and still had the hives. I forget whether or not there was lime in the water but after 3 years in the house and no lime build up on faucet screens or shower heads my guess is that if it is there it's a really small trace amount.

I can drink water and before zyrtec if I took a glass and guzzeled it I would have a red upper lip like if I'd been drinking kool-aide or something.. . . I always passed it off as really cold water on a really hot day.

Oh well just wondering if there was anyone else out there dealing with it. Yes you are right I'm totally grateful that zyrtec works, the hives were horrible and frustrating because the first thing people would tell me was take an oatmeal bath. . . . now when you are allergic to the water what's wrong with THAT picture LOL
Posted 6/18/2008 9:15 PM (GMT 0)

I too have had the same problems with water. The red splotchy marks, itchyness, hives, the pain!  It doesn't matter if it is city, well, lake, or rain water.  I went to the doctor today, I finally got up the courage to tell her and she laughed, not at me, but at the fact she has never heard of such a thing. No-one at the office had.  I have been living with this for a few years, and it seems to be getting worse.  I have tried allergy medication, before I shower, but it only eases the itching.

Now my question...

Has anyone experienced  any problems when drinking water?  It gives me a burning sensation, then my stomach aches and burns for hours after.  I have tried all types of different bottled waters.  Nothing else I drink bothers me, just water!

Posted 6/19/2008 3:56 AM (GMT 0)

I wanted to welcome you to HealingWell.  I am so sorry I don't have an answer for you.  But, at least you can see you are not the only one with this problem, if that helps at all.

Please keep checking back and also let us know if you should find out anything.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 6/21/2008 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
Scribette,

The only water I can drink without that intense burning is a specific brand of bottled water: Crystal Geyser. {Disclaimer: I have no financial connections with this company in any way.} I can't drink soda pop either, except the Crystal Geyser fruit sodas.

In my case, the burning has to do with sulfite preservatives. Most companies who filter their bottled water use carbon filters, and these filters actually put sulfites into the water because they are usually made from coconut charcoal, and coconuts are often heavily sprayed with sulfites.

Take care,
Posted 7/26/2008 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
I too feel as if I am allergic to water. Not exactly the water but whats in it. I am a 26yr old male and have had this problem since I was 13. going to numerous dermatologists i am told its acne and it will go away.. 13yrs later and im still having these red boils shows up like puss filled zits and no remedy for my problem. I've been to accupuncture, allergy doctors, dematologists, regular doctors.. ive been told i have a staph infection (impetigo) so i went to an infectious disease doctor who told me it looks like acne, back to a dermatologist who claims its acne.. i know its not. I can get the breakout down, but when its on my arms, face, back, thighs, neck and sometimes legs its just too much for acne. it itches.. etc. I've finally found some sort of resolve with a NAET doctor who deals with allergies. she said i was allergic to vitamin c and d and egg mix and insect mix.. which would explain further why i breakout when i say get bit by a mosquito. but it goes beyond that.. when i finish taking a shower i get really itchy, if i sweat i get red bumps say in my forearm where my elbow bends as it gets sweaty. i do know when i was little I was allergic to flouride when i got it at the dentist to the point where i got really sick and almost passed out. im guessing i could still have this intense reaction to flouride in water.. i can't drink city water at all.. my palms are always clammy and sweaty and the breakout moves around.. sometimes my face is really bad while other times its the neck or back, and even some bumps on my scalp/skull under my hair. i've tried going to everyone and I'm really at a loss around now of ever figuring out what my body doesnt like. i figure i might as well share my story on some websites in hopes of someone else with the same issues and possibly remedys since no doctors seem to be able to figure it out.. I will say the NAET doctor had me feeling amazing for 2 weeks and now she doesnt return til september so i know something has to work.
Posted 7/26/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
The itchy bumps after showering could be heat rash too. Antihistamines taken prior to showering may help.  But if you are allergic to fluoride, I've been told only distilled water or water filtered with reverse osmosis is free of fluoride. So you might try distilled water - for washing your hands & face, brushing teeth, cooking, etc. - and see if the "zits" go away or reduce in severity/frequency. I'm also allergic to fluoride, but I get an instantaneous fever from it. Check out this website, too: http://www.fluoridealert.org/f-sources.htm

Yes, I've tried NAET too and it can be very effective for some.  Unfortunately, they didn't do much for me (about 10% of people don't respond to NAET).

Good luck,

Posted 12/27/2008 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Question: After I drink water, I usually get clammy and sometimes don't feel that well - it passes in about 10 minutes or so.  I usually drink bottled water because the water in our well isn't good for drinking (too much iron). I don't have a reaction to water externally. I know I need water, and try to drink enough of it, but it just seems weird.....

Posted 10/31/2009 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
hey guys!!! google fluoride allergy. i too have had these similar skin and other problems and they seem to disappear when fluoride is completely removed from my daily routine... this includes no tap water (also only a few bottled water companies make low fluoride waters so you need to research a good one --- evian i have heard is the lowest in fluoride, but i'm not sure), no toothpaste with fluoride, no coffee or tea made with tap water, no juices from the store, no cereals with fluoride, i know there are other areas to watch out for this chemical too. it's weird because it almost doesn't seem realistic that this small amount of a chemical can cause such a reaction, but apparently it is so for 1% of the population.
Posted 11/3/2009 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
It's rare and can happen that you are allergic to "water" they've had cases in Europe and I think a lot
of doctor's just try to make you think that it's not a true allergy, so you might have to go and find a allergist
that'll listen and believe and work with you..for now limit your time with water..but that being said
I grew up on well water and there are things in well water too so maybe getting some filter's..try
using distilled water on your skin a small test area and if you react to that then definitely a water allergy...
maybe filter the distilled water first...do a google search on water allergies...hope this info helps...
good luck to you...could be rust in the well water, or lime ect....
Lots of soft hugz and keep us posted....
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((PeanutMom)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted 5/14/2010 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter is having similar skin reactions. A lot of sources and blogs I've found people are saying it started around 13 years of age. My daughter is 12 and a half. The itching and redness started on her legs. We've changed shampoos, body washes, soaps, and gotten rid of poufs and loofas...it is only getting worse and spreading to other areas. Usually lasts about an hour before it goes away. Gonna try Zyrtec!
Posted 1/4/2011 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think it's the water, and you're not alone. 

I believe it's the fluoride. 

I have the same problem but mine is controlled with 2 Allegera 180 twice per day.

Prior to the perscription for Allegra I was self medicating with Benadryl.

Posted 1/7/2011 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Yeaaap! I'm allergic to water too.

I find that the trick is: when you've washed your hands or taken a shower, dry yourself instantly! Don't waste any time, get that towel and dry yourself really roughly, cures the itch, gets the water off and makes you dry. Also if your quite severe, apply cream ASAP, whether its moisturizer, a steroid cream (if the rash has appeared), put it on. I find that helps. The drying is the key, if i miss a spot, i get a rash within 15 mins. :(

-Lizzy
Posted 1/10/2011 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Distilled water still can have volatile chemicals in it (volatile = they evaporate with the steam, then re-condense in the collection chamber of the distiller), so best to filter the water first, then distill it...
Posted 10/11/2012 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have been itching for a awhile. No hives, rashes, or redness anywhere. Recently, I moved to a new townhouse, where the water is treated with chorine and fluoride. My old home has well water. I have been living here l year. However, always notice that after a long hot shower, my body began to itch all over. Had some relief for awhile. The itching has returned with a vengeance . Lost of sleep at night and miserable days. Went to the Dr. he took blood test for hepatitis and throid condition, and a chest e-ray. All results negative. Put me on antihistamines with no avail, allegra and then a steroid. No relief, in fact the steroid made me worst, especially after a night shower. The reason I think it's the water, is because I went on vacation to Bermuda, and had no itching at all. I have changed all of my make-up, creams ,shampoos, conditioners, to organic. I always eat 85 to 100 % organic foods. I have almost limited some of my food intake, just to see if I am allergic to any foods. Also, I have not used fluoride toothpaste for over 15years. I drink and cook with bottled water. But I have notice when I use distilled water I feel better. Dr wants me to see an allergist . That's my last hope. Miriam….:)
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