A woman living with an extremely rare medical condition has opened up about the daily struggles she faces after revealing that even a small amount of water touching her skin can trigger painful allergic reactions.
Kimberlee Mills, from Houston, has been diagnosed with Aquagenic Urticaria, a rare condition in which contact with water—regardless of its temperature—causes itchy, painful hives, redness, or swelling on the skin.
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Because of the condition, Kimberlee said she has drastically changed her daily routine, including how often she washes her face and the way she stays hydrated.
According to her, she only washes her face with water once or twice a month and relies on water-free skincare products to reduce the risk of painful flare-ups. She also explained that she avoids drinking plain water because it makes her feel extremely nauseous.
Speaking about how the condition has transformed her daily life, she said:
“Aquagenic Urticaria affects almost every part of my life.
“My mornings look completely different from most people’s.
“I only wash my face with water once or twice a month because even that can trigger a painful reaction.
“Most days I rely on rinse-free cleansers and waterless skincare products.
“Before I leave the house, I check the weather.
“If it’s hot, humid or looks like it might rain, I have to think about whether it’s worth going out at all.
“Something as simple as sweating can leave me covered in hives.
“Most people don’t think about water.
“I have to think about it every single day.
“Everything has to be planned.
“I don’t shower every day like the average person.
“Even brushing my teeth requires planning to keep water exposure to a minimum.
“I don’t drink plain water because it makes me extremely nauseous, so I stay hydrated through other beverages and foods that I tolerate better.”
She also revealed that the reactions can sometimes become severe enough to require emergency medical attention.