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Water allergy
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Not many people have heard that there is an allergy to water. It is much more common to perceive facts about allergic reactions to sweets, pollen or medications. However, the body can also react inadequately to water.
Not so long ago it was believed that water allergy was a rare occurrence for only a few people, but in recent years cases of this disease have been registered more and more often. The number of people experiencing unpleasant consequences after drinking ordinary water is noticeably increasing every day. What are the symptoms of this disease?
[ What causes water allergy?
It should be noted that often it is not the water itself, but the impurities contained in it that can contribute to the development of an allergic reaction of the body to this liquid.
Allergy to water mainly occurs against the background of weakened immunity. Taking medications, any diseases, chronic diseases of the filtering organs - liver, kidneys, adrenal glands - can lead to a weakening of the immune system and, as a result, provoke the appearance of allergies.
If a person suffers exclusively from an allergy to tap water, then most likely the allergen is not the water itself, but detergents - shampoo, soap, gels, etc. Also, cases of allergy to tap water that was poorly filtered and some substances leaked into it that the purification system could not cope with are often recorded. Water contamination can also occur during transportation of poorly disinfected water pipes. There can be many options.
If a person develops an allergy to water after drinking mineral water, it means that some component of the water is an allergen for that person.
How does water allergy manifest itself?
The main symptom that characterizes water allergy and appears earlier than the others is a small localized rash on the arms, legs, neck, face, stomach, and behind the knees. Red spots or rashes characteristic of urticaria may appear on the same areas of the body. Urticaria is usually accompanied by red spots with a center in which the inflammation is located. The center of the spot is often lighter than the spot itself. Urticaria is also characterized by itching of the skin.
It is pleasing to note that Quincke's edema, suffocation, anaphylactic shock with water allergy have not been recorded. Also, this type of disease does not cause a runny nose, cough, watery eyes and other, less dangerous symptoms. The rash with such an allergy first appears on the hands and only after some time can it be found on other parts of the body.
A true allergy to water is a rather painful factor that causes a lot of trouble for a person. The rash occurs upon contact with any water - sea, running, tap, river, mineral, rain, snow, well, etc. But, fortunately, there are very few people with such a reaction to water. Much more often, cases are recorded when an allergy to water occurs, for example, to river or tap water, and the body reacts normally to sea water. Or, conversely, an allergic reaction occurs upon contact with sea water, and tap or well water does not provoke absolutely any negative manifestations.
What to do if you are allergic to water?
There are no ways to completely cure this type of allergy yet, although scientists are still working on this issue. However, it should be noted that all people who have an allergy to water when in contact with water have elevated immunoglobulin E, which is responsible for the occurrence of allergic reactions in the body.
Antihistamines – ointments, tablets, etc. – help to cope with such a condition as water allergy. Sometimes the spots disappear on their own half an hour after the contact with water ceases. In any case, it is necessary to consult a doctor and find out the true source of the allergy.