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A toddler is so allergic to water that her own tears cause her to break out in a painful rash.
Little Ivy Angerman’s cheeks turn blood-red when she cries due to a rare allergy, aquagenic urticaria, which she was diagnosed with in October last year.
The condition means that the 18-month-old toddler, from Minnesota, US, can’t enjoy a bath, take a trip to the pool or play with the hosepipe in the backyard, without breaking out in blisters.
Even sweating can cause an outbreak of painful rashes, with her distraught mom, Brittany Angerman, having to resort to sanitisers and wipes to clean her on a daily basis.
“When she was diagnosed my heart hit the floor, we were all very upset and shocked,” says Brittany.
“It’s at the point now where she can’t get in the bath for more than 15 or 20 seconds before she starts screaming.
“She tries to climb up the side of the bath because the water hurts her and she wants to get out.
“She then starts crying from the pain and this means her face starts to blister because she’s allergic to them too.”
Specialists have told Brittany and her husband, Daniel Angerman that the condition is so rare only around 50 people in the world have been diagnosed with it.
The little girl’s reaction can last from a couple of minutes up to an hour, depending on how long little Ivy is in contact with water.
The youngster is able to drink water, but her life is still full of restrictions.
“We’ve got down to giving her one bath a week.
“Her skin looks as if she’s getting washed in bleach, I’m effectively washing my daughter in bleach.
“When we try to dry Ivy her blisters hurt a lot so we can’t use towels.
“When she sweats, the liquid brings out a bit of a rash and it goes red.
“It’s the same when she cries, she breaks out in a rash,” the mom says.
The couple said they have concerns about the future and how Ivy’s allergy may affect her daily life when she grows up.
“I’m concerned – what happens if one day a child at school decides to pour water over her?
“I’m worried she’ll get bullied or teased for it when she’s older.
“She’s going to miss out on certain activities and won’t be able to do everything her friends will,” she says.
The desperate family has set up a GoFundMe page to try to raise money to help them pay for medical expenses.
“We want to buy her a water purifier which we hope could make the reaction less intense for her,” says Brittany.
“Eventually we’ll think about moving somewhere that’s not as wet too.
“It’s tough for the family but we’ll take each day as it comes and figure out how to do what’s best for Ivy.”
Source: Magazine Features
