What to do if your skin is allergic to water

If your skin is sensitive, you are more likely to be allergic. Skin allergies will cause itching, rashes, pus and other symptoms. It is best to test the allergens in time and isolate them, and use anti-allergic drugs for treatment. Do not eat irritating foods such as chili peppers, keep your skin clean, and drink more warm water. Some people will have skin allergies to water. Can water cause allergies in the human body? What should I do if my skin is allergic to water? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. What to do if your skin is allergic to water

Being allergic to water may sound unlikely. After all, water is the most important compound in the human body, making up at least 60% of the average person's body weight. Water helps us flush toxins from our vital organs, delivers nutrients to hungry cells, and creates a moist, healthy environment for our ears, nose, and throat. In short, water is essential to our lives.

In case of water allergy, only the epidermis is affected. People with these symptoms can still drink the water safely. An allergic reaction only occurs when water at a certain temperature or containing certain special substances touches the epidermis.

This symptom is called aquagenic urticaria. Although we call it an “allergy,” medically, it is not considered a true allergy. This allergy-like symptom is actually a form of physical urticaria, a collection of symptoms including hives and bumps that occur when the skin breaks out due to irritation.

In this condition, redness, swelling, and itchy bumps appear when water comes into contact with the skin. The direct cause of this histamine reaction is not the water itself, but more likely some water-soluble antigens stimulate the antibodies. Whether it is distilled water, tap water, or rainwater, it can immediately cause an outbreak of urticaria, making bathing and getting caught in the rain a torturous experience.

Aquagenic urticaria is very rare. So much so that since the first related case was discovered in 1964, there have been only 100 records of this symptom in medical literature. Symptoms usually begin during puberty and affect females more than males. The disease is diagnosed by placing the skin in water and keeping the water in contact with the skin for a prolonged period of time. In Allen's case, doctors asked her to soak in a pool of water to confirm the diagnosis.

Experts still don't understand why people are "allergic" to water. One theory is that sweat glands are to blame. It's possible that some people's sweat glands produce toxins that cause them to have an allergic reaction to water.

While researchers are still unclear about the underlying cause of this phenomenon, most cases can be treated with antihistamines and minimizing contact with water.

2. What should you not eat if you have skin allergies

1. Eat less greasy, sweet and spicy food, tobacco and alcohol; 2. Avoid eating fish, shrimp, crab and other foods that are prone to cause allergies.

2. People with skin allergies should not eat anything casually, especially spicy food (chili, onion, ginger, garlic, etc.), soy products, seafood, fried food, greasy food, etc.

3. Which fruits are prone to cause allergies

1. The most common fruit allergies are mangoes, pineapples, etc. After eating these fruits, many people often experience redness, swelling, itching, and even a small rash around their mouths. Some people also experience symptoms such as numbness of the lips and itchy throat.

2. Mango contains a large amount of fruit acid, amino acids, proteins, etc., which contain irritating substances. When they come into contact with human skin, they may cause primary irritant allergies, manifested as erythema and herpes around the cheeks and lips. In severe cases, redness, swelling and pain will occur. People with a history of mango allergy should avoid eating mangoes.

To avoid allergic reactions, cut mangoes into small pieces when eating, try not to let the juice get around your lips, and wash your hands immediately if they get stained with juice.

3. The allergenic substance in pineapple may be bromelain. The disease usually occurs 10 minutes to 1 hour after eating, and the main manifestation is acute paroxysmal abdominal cramps, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. Some patients experience skin itching, flushing, urticaria, numbness of the limbs, mouth and tongue, and sweating. In severe cases, they may even experience difficulty breathing, shock, and coma.

When eating pineapple, you should cut the fresh pineapple into slices, soak it in light salt water for 30 minutes or cook it, which can destroy bromelain and prevent allergies.

4. Precautions

During skin allergies, pay attention to facial hygiene and cleanliness, wash your face with warm water, and do not use exfoliating products. Use a mask to cover your skin when going out. Once a rash appears on your face, do not use makeup to cover the allergy.