Aquagenic Pruritis: Tips for Dealing with Itching Attacks

I am "allergic" to water. I have aquagenic pruritis, which is excruciating water reactant itching. It is not to be confused with aquagenic urticaria, water reactant hives. Whenever my skin becomes wet, I may suffer a mild to severe spell of itching lasting from a few minutes to 2 hours. If you, too, suffer from this painful condition, let me give you some tips for dealing with and possibly preventing itching attacks.

Before I learned how to deal with my affliction, I avoided getting wet. When I had to bathe, I would writhe in agony on my bed afterwards. I would go from scratching, to gently rubbing and stroking, to literally clawing at my skin. Sometimes I would leave red marks in my arms and legs that took hours or days to fade. I tried to freeze it by standing in front of the freezer or applying ice. I even tried cutting myself. I just wanted it to stop. The itching was worse than pain. It was a deep crawling sensation that threatened to drive me crazy.

Patting dry, rather than rubbing, can lessen your chance of having an attack. Rubbing can irritate the skin. It also removes your dry skin, exposing a new layer of skin which may be sensitive--and itchy. Blow drying is another method many use to get dry without rubbing. It doesn't irritate your skin like towel-drying, and the heat is said to help.

I soon learned that the sooner I put my clothes on, the less likely I was to itch. I was also less likely to itch if I put on soft clothing, such as satins and silks. At the very least, the attack would be less severe. This wasn't always true, but it became a part of my routine nevertheless. The basic idea is to keep the air off of your skin. Wrap up in a robe or towel as soon as you can.

When I was little, any time I got wet, I would itch. As I've grown older, I now rarely have itching attacks after a bath. When I shower, I am more likely to have an itching attack. I also tend to have more severe attacks after showers than baths. I have discovered this is true for others I've met as well. Warm clothing, heating pads, and blow drying can help if this is the case for you.

Any temperature of water can trigger an attack. However, I've met many people who claim they can "burn the itch out." They do this by making the water as hot as possible for the last few minutes of their shower. I haven't tried it, but many swear by it. Others, like me, experience more intense itching after bathing in very hot water. If you're like that you may have more luck with a heating pad.

Lotion typically does not help in the least, but some have had luck applying lots of Aqueous cream to their skin. It is a lanolin-free emollient and soap substitute available in Britain. Hydrocortisone cream and other substances usually do nothing for the itching.

Most people with aquagenic pruritis are not helped by histamine blockers like Claritin and Benadryl. The only thing that has really worked for me was Zyrtec. I've met many others who have had the same experience--nothing works but Zyrtec. This seems to be because Zyrtec hits the mast cells, unlike other antihistamines. Xyzal, a new allergy pill, also seems to have an effect on aquagenic pruritis.

At the Yahoo! Support Group, members recommend tanning as a method of prevention. Having a tan seems to make the attacks come less often. I was a very pale child and have fewer attacks now that I'm tanner. Tanning is a very pleasant way to deal with such a condition, and it seems to work for many. Most recommend this above anything else.

Others have been helped by taking vitamin D. One woman says her son rubs bicarbonate of soda onto his wet skin. She also recommends a heated wheat bag.

When I do have an attack, I have a method of dealing with the itching. For one, I try to relax. I try to focus on something else, like music, a TV show, or even a chore. I try to just grit my teeth and ignore it. The sensation is so intense, the urge so strong, that sometimes I must do something. When I must, I will gently rub and stroke my skin with my finger tips. This usually relieves the urge to scratch, without making it worse. Sometimes I become frustrated and lose control, and then it gets so much worse. Try to stay in control. Remain calm, and don't irritate your skin further.

If you are affected by aquagenic pruritis, it is worth it to try some of these things. Hit a tanning bed once a week. Pat or blow dry. Dress ASAP, particularly in soft clothing. Ask your doctor about Zyrtec for aquagenic pruritis. If all else fails and you have an attack, relax, and don't worsen the irritation. That is easier said than done, but try. Many with AP suffer from depression because of it, so talk about your condition to others. You can find more information at the Yahoo Support Group. Good luck!