MIchaela Dutton lives with one of the most baffling medical conditions known to humans. She has aquagenic urticaria – an allergy to water – which leaves her with burning red welts and pain if she comes in contact with even a single drop of most liquids.

The birth of Dutton’s son seems to have triggered the strange and rare condition. Now she cannot even hold her son as much as she would like, in case he sweats and causes yet another reaction.

Dutton has an extremely severe case of aquagenic urticaria. She is unable to drink most common beverages, including tea, coffee or fruit juice because of blistering and swelling in her throat. However, in another strange note in an unusual case, Dutton can drink Diet Coke which her body manages to tolerate.

Dutton is afraid to leave her home. Getting caught in the rain is not the simple event it would be for most of us. She struggles to take a weekly shower for just 10 seconds once a week; most days, she makes due with a quick wipedown.

Doctors can only assume that the condition was brought on by an hormonal imbalance, triggered by giving birth. Dutton said that the condition was apparent as soon as she had her first bath after delivering her son.

Apparently, the connection between birthing and urticaria is known to the medical community. Dr Adrian Morris, a specialist in the field, said that some patients get better after giving birth while others develop the condition at this time.

Only about 30 cases have ever been documented.

Aquagenic urticaria is only one form of urticaria. Another form is cold urticaria, in which the person has the same kind of reaction to cold. Urticaria is believed to be caused by the massive release of histamines by mast cells. Mast cells are implicated in all forms of allergy, but the exact mechanisms behind the triggering of urticaria remain a mystery.

Source: Mail Online