'I'm allergic to water - taking a shower leaves me in excruciating pain'

A 25 year old mum, Kendall Bryce, who is afflicted with a rare water allergy, has poignantly described the agony of everyday tasks, stating that taking a shower or being caught out in the rain feels like being scorched by flames. Kendall suffers from aquagenic urticaria, where her skin painfully swells and erupts in hives at the mere contact with water.

Expecting her second child, the brave mum from Durham reveals each day is marred by "excruciating" torment, whether she attempts to cleanse her hands or body. Her life hinges on the whims of the weather, as she battles swelling reactions from both rainfall and high humidity. Even drinking water triggers a searing "burning" sensation for her.

Regrettably, medical professionals have hit a wall, unable to alleviate Kendall's condition with any effective treatment, leaving her to grapple with the relentless pain. Now, she speaks up, not just to share her ordeal but also with the hope that her voice might uncover a long-term remedy.

Kendall conveyed her plight: "It really is a daily struggle. I can only have a bath or take a shower twice a week because of how excruciating the pain is - so I constantly worry I stink."

Her fears extend to weather forecasts, which she meticulously checks daily, often confining herself at home to dodge rain or oppressive humidity. She continued, "But if I get caught out by surprise - my body reacts and it's really painful."

Kendall, a mum suffering from a rare condition, revealed her daily struggle, saying: "I've never been able to give my one-year-old son a bath. My mum has to do it for me. And I even feel my throat burning when I drink water."

She detailed the increasing severity of her pain over the years: "When it started, it felt a bit like I was getting nettle stings all over my body. But now it feels like someone has taken a lighter to my body. It's excruciating."

Kendall described the aftermath of exposure to water: "I'll be in agony for about half an hour after washing - but it feels like it's two hours. I cry throughout. It's actually so bad that my body can go into shock - so it's dangerous."

She added the impact on her family life: "It means my mum has to sit with my son whenever I have a bath." Kendall first noticed symptoms at 15, breaking out in hives after baths. Initially managed with Piriton, her condition worsened significantly. She expressed frustration with medical responses: "The GP didn't have a clue what to do. It's just such a rare condition - so not many people have it and not many people know about it."

Diagnosed with aquagenic urticaria in 2021 by a dermatologist at the University Hospital of North Durham, Kendall still hasn't found effective treatment, saying: "They've tried lots of different medications but I kept reacting. I still haven't found something that helps.

"Currently, my pregnancy limits my treatment options, but after giving birth, we can explore more possibilities. The problem is, my doctors are unsure what will be effective." Kendall hopes that by sharing her story, she might connect with someone who can offer a solution.

She said: "I really hope an expert might get in touch and know what to do. At the moment, it all feels quite degrading. I just want a normal life where I can go out in the rain, have a shower, and give my son a bath."