Mumbai, October 4: A woman in the United States has spoken out about her unusual illness, Aquagenic Urticaria, or water allergy. Tessa Hansen-Smith told ABC News that she had the allergy when she was eight years old and that it has become worse over the years. She used to play, swim, and drink a lot of water as a youngster, but she began to have symptoms when the disease took hold. Bathing or drinking water causes itching, rashes, and hives on her skin. Hansen-Smith has given additional information about her journey and hospitalisations on Instagram.

I would get out of the shower with large welts on my skin, and my scalp would be bleeding. So, the first thing we did was, 'OK, let's take away your shampoos, conditioners, and whatever soaps you're using,' she told ABC News. Can You Be Allergic to Water? Everything About Aquagenic Urticaria Explained.

Drinking water causes her throat and body to burn, so the 25-year-old claims she drinks milk because the fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in milk enable water molecules to "sneak past" her immune system. Karen Hansen-Smith, her mother, is a doctor who has encountered many unusual illnesses, but seeing her own daughter suffer is heartbreaking.

Tessa Hansen-Smith Undergoing Treatment

She told the site that she often feel guilty as a mother for not noticing when she got out of the shower that she had hives and 'figuring out way earlier that it was a water issue'. It's heartbreaking. I still have my daughter. However, she is not living the life she desires, she added.  US Girl Allergic to Water Can’t Bathe or Shed Tears! What’s Aquagenic Uriticaria?

The family has put up a GoFundMe campaign to pay for her recent hospital treatment, which cost $8,000 (Rs 6.65 lakh). She has praised all of her followers for assisting them in raising $10,000 in just three months, which will also assist her with doctor's appointments, follow-ups, and physical therapy. She has, however, had her share of difficulties. Hansen-Smith stated that the disbelief of others around her was more distressing than the sickness itself.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2023 02:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).