A woman has revealed that she “cries in agony” every time she bathes or gets caught in the rain due to a rare skin condition.
Kendall Bryce, 25, from Durham in the UK, describes the sensation of water coming into contact with her skin as if someone had “taken a lighter to her body.”
She suffers from aquagenic urticaria, a condition that causes painful hives and swelling on her skin whenever it touches water. The condition first appeared when she was just 15 years old and is believed to affect fewer than 250 people worldwide.
The mom-to-be, who is currently pregnant with her second child, says her life is a constant struggle due to the “excruciating” pain she experiences while showering or washing her hands. Even drinking a glass of water causes a burning sensation, and she has to plan her day around the weather to avoid rain and humidity.
Doctors have yet to find a cure or effective medication to ease Kendall’s pain.
She explained, “It really is a daily struggle. I can only take a bath or shower twice a week because the pain is so intense, I constantly worry that I smell.”
Kendall tries to stay indoors when rain is predicted, but occasionally she gets caught off guard and suffers a painful reaction.
“I’ve never been able to give my one-year-old son a bath. My mum has to do it for me,” she said.
The painful condition began 10 years ago after taking a bath, and Kendall described the sensation as if she were being stung by nettles all over her body.
Initially, her symptoms were somewhat manageable, as antihistamines would help alleviate the pain. However, her condition has worsened, and now the pain feels more like burning.
“I’ll be in agony for about half an hour after washing, but it feels like two hours. I cry throughout. It’s so bad that my body can go into shock, so it’s dangerous,” Kendall added.
Kendall isn’t alone in her struggle. Tessa Hansen-Smith, who also suffers from aquagenic urticaria, shared that showers cause her so much pain she passes out, and she has resorted to drinking milk to prevent dehydration.
Kendall explained that doctors have been baffled by the condition due to its rarity.
“The GP didn’t know what to do,” she said. “Not many people have it, and not many people are aware of it.”
Kendall’s diagnosis came in 2021 after a referral to a dermatologist, but she has yet to find a medication that provides relief.
She continued, “They’ve tried many medications, but I kept reacting. I still haven’t found anything that works.”
With her pregnancy, there are limited treatment options available. “Once I give birth, we’ll try more,” she added.
Kendall now hopes that by sharing her story, she may find an expert who can help.
“I really hope someone will get in touch who knows what to do,” she said. “Right now, 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.”
