Tuesday 20 September 2022 08:32 PM Teen girl, 14, develops allergy to WATER that makes getting wet feel like ... trends now
A teenager who is allergic to water says she can't get wet without her skin breaking out in painful red hives that feel like 'being doused with gasoline and set on fire'.
Sadie Tessmer, 14, from Buffalo, Missouri, began experiencing aquagenic urticaria late last year when her skin turned red and became painful after showers.
She had always loved to go swimming, paddle at the beach and even get sweaty during soccer practice. But the allergy has put an end to these activies, with Sadie saying she is now not even able to cry without the angry red rashes erupting.
Since the diagnosis in May, the teenager has dropped soccer and even left school — which was insisting on physical education classes — because exercise makes her sweat, triggering symptoms. This summer she has been forced to stay home and avoid the outdoors and beach in case the hot and humid weather makes her sweat.
Sadie is still able to drink water, but must do it through a straw because if it touches her lips — like when she drinks out a bottle — her skin breaks out into a rash.
An allergy to water is extremely rare, with only about 100 people — or less than one-in-230 million — thought to be affected worldwide. There is no cure, and experts warn flare-ups could be fatal if they become too severe.
Sadie Tessmer, 14, from Buffalo, Missouri, breaks out in painful red hives whenver she touches water. Above her legs are shown in the bath-tub when she is having an allergic reaction to water
Sadie said she was very surprised to get the diagnosis, and had previously enjoyed swimming and playing soccer without any allergic reactions
Shown above are hives that appeared on her legs after they touched water. Her mother is now keeping her home to limit sweating, which can also trigger the flare-ups
Sadie previously had no issues with water and loved nothing more than swimming, playing soccer or going to the beach until late 2019.
Describing how it feels when she touches water now, Sadie said: 'At times, it feels like someone is pouring gasoline on my body and setting me on fire and it itches.
'I always get a reaction when I shower or wash my hands, or even cry or sweat.
'It will hurt so much that I will start crying and that makes it worse because I'm allergic to my own tears which stresses me out.
