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wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
A year ago
Probably, but I can't say for certain as the whole idea seems so bizarre to me.
ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago Edited: A year ago, ClaraY
Probably, but I can't say for certain as the whole idea seems so bizarre to me.

Agree. I can't rule out a hoax, there was one time the parents went to the news claiming that a special 'suit' to protect Heidi from the rain/moisture in the air was ripped up by a robber (who did not steal anything else) and later left on their front porch (the family claimed Heidi's suit was ripped to pieces, and the pieces were intentionally scattered on the porch). The family said that people donated £2000 worth of funds to them,  enabling them to get a new 'suit' for Heidi. That article always struck me as a bit odd. Heidi herself gets into the news every couple of years. https://socialnewsdaily.com/75296/woman-possesses-fatal-water-allergy/
Post Merge: A year ago

Tessa's Instagram is here https://www.instagram.com/livingwaterless/?hl=en
Anonymous
wrote...
A year ago

Not to judge, but she looks like something with psychological issues who needs validation from complete strangers to feel whole
ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago Edited: A year ago, ClaraY
HealthLine has an article on Aquagenic Urticaria. https://www.healthline.com/health/aquagenic-urticaria

It says in severe cases, drinking water causes shortness of breath and swelling of the throat.
Post Merge: A year ago

 It mentions drinking water causes symptoms in severe cases:

https://www.allergycliniclondon.co.uk/a ... -to-water/

''WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
People with aquagenic urticaria can experience a range of symptoms. These include rashes, itching, red skin, burning sensations, lesions, welts, and inflammation. In more severe cases, drinking water can cause issues. With this, someone might experience difficulty breathing, swallowing, wheezing, or a rash around the mouth.

Symptoms will kick in shortly after exposure, usually around 15 minutes. And luckily, mild symptoms don’t tend to stick around for long either. After drying yourself off, symptoms can fade within the hour. ''
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
A year ago
I wonder if symptoms occurs with distilled water too?
ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago
I wonder if symptoms occurs with distilled water too?

Aquagenic Urticaria is diagnosed when patients still react to distilled water. There are less than 50 cases ever described worldwide.
Post Merge: A year ago

wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
A year ago
Something smells fishy to me. Again, I go back to my initial argument presented earlier
ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago Edited: A year ago, ClaraY
Here are the articles I could find

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/JUST+ONE+CUP+OF+WATER+COULD+KILL+LITTLE+HEIDI%3B+Girl%27s+deadly+allergy...-a061152595


https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girl-allergic-to-water-could-die-760056

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/486239/Allergic-to-water

https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/wheathampstead-woman-suffering-with-water-allergy-5144242

https://socialnewsdaily.com/75296/woman-possesses-fatal-water-allergy/

https://allindiaroundup.com/news/student-who-is-allergic-to-water-breaks-out-in-rashes-when-she-sweats-or-cries/

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160915-the-woman-who-is-allergic-to-water



This is a non-exhaustive list.

These are all different people diagnosed with Aquagenic Urticaria. Some of them only react to water on their skin but others also react internally to water (ie, IV  saline, drinking) The diagnostic procedure rules out chemicals in the water being the culprit, since after the patient still reacts to distilled/sterile water, that is when a diagnosis of Aquagenic Urticaria is confirmed. There are less than 50 cases ever documented worldwide.
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
A year ago
Thanks for sharing that for reference sake!

Still, I find this all hard to believe. Clearly something is happening to these people, but it's likely caused my their mental state more so than water. In fact, even the air we breath is composed of water vapor, so technically they should be reacting to air as well.
ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago
Found a Wikipedia page on it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_urticaria
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
A year ago

Thanks.

Still, this should be filed under "made-up disorders" for hypochondriacs Grinning Face with Smiling Eyes
ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago
More sources about 'Aquagenic Urticaria'

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160915-the-woman-who-is-allergic-to-water

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/JUST+ONE+CUP+OF+WATER+COULD+KILL+LITTLE+HEIDI%3B+Girl%27s+deadly+allergy...-a061152595

https://scienceinfo.net/girl-allergic-to-water.html

https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-what-happens-if-you-develop-an-allergy-to-water

ClaraY Author
wrote...
A year ago Edited: A year ago, ClaraY
I just read her q&a which is pinned on her Instagram profile.

She claims her immune system only detects (quote) ''foreign'' water molecules, so the water molecules already inside her body are okay.

Is Aquagenic Urticaria a legitimate medical condition?

Is there any difference between a water molecule that came from outside the body, versus a water molecule which comes from inside of the body?
Post Merge: A year ago

Here's Tessa's instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/livingwaterless/?hl=en
wrote...
Valued Member
Educator
A year ago
I just read her q&a which is pinned on her Instagram profile.

She claims her immune system only detects (quote) ''foreign'' water molecules, so the water molecules already inside her body are okay.

Is Aquagenic Urticaria a legitimate medical condition?

Is there any difference between a water molecule that came from outside the body, versus a water molecule which comes from inside of the body?
Post Merge: A year ago

Here's Tessa's instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/livingwaterless/?hl=en

No, there isn't a difference between bodily H2O and water drank from a fountain, for example.
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