Missouri Teen Develops Allergy to Water: What Is Aquagenic Urticaria?

Sadie Tessmer Water Allergy Allergy to Water Allergic to Water aquagenic urticaria

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Sep 21, 02:49 am

Photo: (Photo : BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images))

A Missouri teen allergic to water said she couldn't get wet without her skin breaking out in painful red hives. Sadie Tessmer, who hails from the city of Buffalo, said she feels like being doused with gasoline and set on fire when water touches her skin. The 14-year-old began experiencing aquagenic urticaria late last year when her skin suddenly turned red and became painful after showers.

Tessmer had always loved paddling at the beach, getting sweaty during soccer practice, and swimming. The water allergy, however, has ended those activities, with Tessmer saying that even crying can cause angry red rashes to erupt on her skin.

Teen forced to leave school due to water allergy

The teen has left school and dropped soccer since the diagnosis in May. She was forced to leave school as officials insisted on physical education classes, things that she can't do anymore as exercise makes her sweat which triggers symptoms. She has been forced to stay home and avoid the outdoors and beach this summer, with the hot and humid weather making her sweat.

Tessmer is still able to drink water, but she must do it through a straw, according to the Daily Mail. If the water touches her lips, rashes will break out on her skin, so she can't drink out of a bottle anymore. Being allergic to water is extremely rare, with only about 100 people thought to be affected worldwide. Unfortunately for Tessmer, there is no cure for this illness, with experts warning that flare-ups could be fatal if they become too severe.

When asked to describe how it feels when she touches water now, Tessmer said that it feels like someone is pouring gasoline on her body and setting her on fire, and it itches. She added that her skin always reacts when she showers, washes her hands, or even cries or sweats.

Tessmer added it would hurt so much that she would start crying, which makes it worse because she is allergic to her tears, which stresses her out. She tries to avoid getting water on her face or neck because she does not want to go into anaphylactic shock. Tessmer noted that she has EpiPens, but it is terrifying.

Dermatologist confirms Tessmer's medical condition

When Tessmer's skin started turning red after showers, her mom thought it was because the water was too hot. She even joked that her daughter might be allergic to getting washes.

Amber Sallee took her daughter to see a dermatologist back in May, fearing that her symptoms would get worse, according to Yahoo. Doctors used a water challenge test to diagnose the rare condition at the appointment. The test involves applying a cloth dampened with room temperature water to the patient's skin for 20 minutes to see if she develops hives.

Her daughter's skin suddenly reacted with hives within just 30 seconds. When Tessmer was diagnosed with the water allergy, she said it did not seem real. She did not think someone could be allergic to water; if someone told her they were, she would think they were lying.

Tessmer has now been prescribed antihistamines and shots to help reduce the flare-ups caused by water. It is still not clear, though, whether the condition will clear later in her life.