1. < Skin Health

Aquagenic Pruritus

Posted by GeeZeeCakes @geezeecakes, Oct 20, 2012

For years, after showering, I have suffered with a horrible, unbearable itch usually all over my arms, legs and thighs. In the past I assumed it was dry skin, and would maybe last about 15 minutes. Recently these attacks on my skin are longer, usually 30 to 90 minutes long. I use heat (a blow dryer) on the skin hoping that will help, or sometimes I stand in front of a fan blowing cold air. I usually find some relief in that, but not recently. I googled the symptoms and it sounds like a rare skin disorder called Aquagenic Pruritus. If anyone has this condition, Id like some information on symptoms and on treatment. Thank you!

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andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 9, 2021
In reply to @mscott1029 "Hey all! I've suffered with AP since I was about 13 (currently 27) and in the..." + (show)
@mscott1029

Hey all! I've suffered with AP since I was about 13 (currently 27) and in the last 6 year it has increasingly gotten more severe and more frequent. I have tried EVERYTING! Diet changes, lotions, creams, oils, change in body wash, razors, shaving cream, etc. Finally started seeing a doctor for it because I am going crazy! I've called my mom after a shower many times in the last few years in full on tears and explaining how crazy I feel! So far my doctor has tried me on individual and combinations of meds including Zyrtec, Cyproheptadine, Amitriptyline, and Gabapentin. Now about to start naltrexone with the Xolair shots as the next option if the naltrexone fails. I am happy to have finally found a doctor that listened to me and is working with me every step of the way. She is literally running down the list of medications that follow separate physiological pathways that can result in severe itching. My doctor also linked my cold uticaria to my AP; apparently most AP sufferers have an allergic reaction when their body heats up; but mine does it when it gets to cold too fast. Unfortunately my AP is triggered by humidity as well and I live in Florida where it rains and is super humid constantly. And moving to a cooler dry climate is supposed to help but my allergy to the cold restricts me from doing so..

I have seen that some people get relief from beta-alanine supplementation. I know beta-alanine is most commonly found in pre-workouts and I can't recall ever having relief from itching while I was taking pre-workout. Recent heart issues prevent me from taking pre-workout any longer. So I am thinking of trying the beta alanine on its own if the naltrexone doesn't work; prior to starting the Xolair shots (which have me a little nervous). I was just curious if anyone had any evidence based text about beta alanine in the treatment of AP; the healthcare professional in me is curious how it works physiologically/pathologically to stop the itch..

And I am so sorry that everyone here suffers from AP; I would never wish this condition on anyone!

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..BETA ALANINE DOES WORK. I INTEND TO TRY IT WHEN MY CARDIOLOGIST SAYS SO...THE MEDS KILL ME. SEE DR. ERIC BERG'S VIDEO ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO WATER...MY LIFE CHANGED AFTER I SAW THAT AND HE SUGGEST BETA ALANINE AND BETA DRUGS AS BLOCKERS FOR AP

REPLY
andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 25, 2021
In reply to @mscott1029 "Hey all! I've suffered with AP since I was about 13 (currently 27) and in the..." + (show)
@mscott1029

Hey all! I've suffered with AP since I was about 13 (currently 27) and in the last 6 year it has increasingly gotten more severe and more frequent. I have tried EVERYTING! Diet changes, lotions, creams, oils, change in body wash, razors, shaving cream, etc. Finally started seeing a doctor for it because I am going crazy! I've called my mom after a shower many times in the last few years in full on tears and explaining how crazy I feel! So far my doctor has tried me on individual and combinations of meds including Zyrtec, Cyproheptadine, Amitriptyline, and Gabapentin. Now about to start naltrexone with the Xolair shots as the next option if the naltrexone fails. I am happy to have finally found a doctor that listened to me and is working with me every step of the way. She is literally running down the list of medications that follow separate physiological pathways that can result in severe itching. My doctor also linked my cold uticaria to my AP; apparently most AP sufferers have an allergic reaction when their body heats up; but mine does it when it gets to cold too fast. Unfortunately my AP is triggered by humidity as well and I live in Florida where it rains and is super humid constantly. And moving to a cooler dry climate is supposed to help but my allergy to the cold restricts me from doing so..

I have seen that some people get relief from beta-alanine supplementation. I know beta-alanine is most commonly found in pre-workouts and I can't recall ever having relief from itching while I was taking pre-workout. Recent heart issues prevent me from taking pre-workout any longer. So I am thinking of trying the beta alanine on its own if the naltrexone doesn't work; prior to starting the Xolair shots (which have me a little nervous). I was just curious if anyone had any evidence based text about beta alanine in the treatment of AP; the healthcare professional in me is curious how it works physiologically/pathologically to stop the itch..

And I am so sorry that everyone here suffers from AP; I would never wish this condition on anyone!

Jump to this post

I SAW DR. ERIC BERG BREAK DOWN BETA ALANINE FOR AP..700MG 2X A DAY. I HAVEN'T TRIED IT BUT THE ALLERGIST I WAS REFERRED TO SAYS I SELF DIAGNOSED AND GAVE ME LOTION...SO I'M GONNA TRY IT SOON AS MY HEART GETS STRONGER. 700MG OF ANYTHING IS A LOT https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=DR+ERIC+bergARE+YOU+ALLERGIC+TO+WATER&docid=607989029315816125&mid=C42FFBA8B78F654301B4C42FFBA8B78F654301B4&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

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andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 25, 2021

I JUST GOT IT SINCE I MOVED TO FLORIDA. I'M MISERABLE AND DOCTORS WON'T TREAT WHAT THEY CANT SEE. NO RASH JUST INTENSE PRICKING AFTER SHOWER. I'M GONNA TRY BETA ANALINRE, AFTER I SAW DR. ERIC BERG'S VIDEO https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=DR+ERIC+bergARE+YOU+ALLERGIC+TO+WATER&docid=607989029315816125&mid=C42FFBA8B78F654301B4C42FFBA8B78F654301B4&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

REPLY
andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 27, 2021
In reply to @jdeal8139 "There is a medicine that helps and I'm living proof, it's Gabapentin and/or Neurontin. As long..." + (show)
@jdeal8139

There is a medicine that helps and I'm living proof, it's Gabapentin and/or Neurontin. As long as I take one before I shower I will not sting. This medicine works better and faster than Benadryl. I found out about Gabapentin by accident. I had injured my right hip very badly and was having severe sciatic nerve pain and was put on Gabapentin and my itching/stinging was gone. There is hope. Talk to your doctor. Never take a hot shower, it will make it worse. Yes cool air does help but for me it does not stop it fast enough. From someone who lives in middle Georgia and the humidity is a killer, I have opted for the meds.

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MY ALLERGIST SAYS SHE DONT SEE NOTHING SO SHE CANT TREAT NOTHIN...LOOKING FOR A NEW ALLERGIST. IM IN SO MUCH PAIN I WOUND UP IN ER WITH GETTING 4 BABY ASPRIN AND 1 NITROGLYCERIN...YOU CANT JUST GO AND ASK FOR DRUGS OF YOUR LIKING...

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1 reply
andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 28, 2021
In reply to @andy1104 "MY ALLERGIST SAYS SHE DONT SEE NOTHING SO SHE CANT TREAT NOTHIN...LOOKING FOR A NEW ALLERGIST...." + (show)
@andy1104

MY ALLERGIST SAYS SHE DONT SEE NOTHING SO SHE CANT TREAT NOTHIN...LOOKING FOR A NEW ALLERGIST. IM IN SO MUCH PAIN I WOUND UP IN ER WITH GETTING 4 BABY ASPRIN AND 1 NITROGLYCERIN...YOU CANT JUST GO AND ASK FOR DRUGS OF YOUR LIKING...

Jump to this post

HOW'D YOU GET IT. OVER THE COUNTER?

REPLY
moylandavis | @moylandavis | Jun 29, 2021

I use the NOW brand capsules…750 mg. I buy it on Amazon…

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1 reply
andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 29, 2021
In reply to @moylandavis "There is finally a medical article on the use of Beta Alanine for Aquagenic Pruritus. By..." + (show)
@moylandavis

There is finally a medical article on the use of Beta Alanine for Aquagenic Pruritus. By Stanford Ped Dermatologists : Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pde.14440?fbclid=IwAR2_d4qYfl_x_CWgS5RgXK8wOXMQYq0Uayoe3ReohNGrR916gmmHb08kTUA

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IT'S GOOD STUFF, BUT READ ONLY. TO ORDER COPIES IT'S LIKE $42...BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS PHOT OR MAYBE EVEN PRN SCRN

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andy1104 | @andy1104 | Jun 29, 2021
In reply to @moylandavis "I use the NOW brand capsules…750 mg. I buy it on Amazon…" + (show)
@moylandavis

I use the NOW brand capsules…750 mg. I buy it on Amazon…

Jump to this post

THANK YOU SO MUCH

REPLY
bluemom4 | @bluemom4 | Sep 19, 2021
In reply to @jdeal8139 "My mother had this condition. I remember as a child watching her after she got out..." + (show)
@jdeal8139

My mother had this condition. I remember as a child watching her after she got out of the shower, it was awful. Her doctor told her she was allergic to water. Then when I got pregnant with my first son (23 years old) it happened to me. It was terrible. My husband thought I was crazy and that it was in my head. Now I'm almost 50 and two of my boys have this condition. So I can definitely tell you it is hereditary. It has gotten better with age. Although now that I'm in menopause my hot flashes are triggering the stinging attacks. There is a medicine that helps and I'm living proof, it's Gabapentin and/or Neurontin. As long as I take one before I shower I will not sting. This medicine works better and faster than Benadryl. I found out about Gabapentin by accident. I had injured my right hip very badly and was having severe sciatic nerve pain and was put on Gabapentin and my itching/stinging was gone. There is hope. Talk to your doctor. Never take a hot shower, it will make it worse. Yes cool air does help but for me it does not stop it fast enough. From someone who lives in middle Georgia and the humidity is a killer, I have opted for the meds.

Jump to this post

Hot shower saves me - I turn it up as hot as I can stand it - the last 2 minutes of my shower. This heat desensitizes the mast cells - a Yahoo AP group told me about this back in 2006. It's been my saving grace ever since. Sometimes though, something else will trigger it - like water retention or humidity outside and getting into a shower is not an option. 3-4 times a year, during the fall or winter, my AP can get the best of me and I need more than a hot scalding shower.

REPLY
1 reply
moylandavis | @moylandavis | Sep 20, 2021
In reply to @bluemom4 "Hot shower saves me - I turn it up as hot as I can stand it..." + (show)
@bluemom4

Hot shower saves me - I turn it up as hot as I can stand it - the last 2 minutes of my shower. This heat desensitizes the mast cells - a Yahoo AP group told me about this back in 2006. It's been my saving grace ever since. Sometimes though, something else will trigger it - like water retention or humidity outside and getting into a shower is not an option. 3-4 times a year, during the fall or winter, my AP can get the best of me and I need more than a hot scalding shower.

Jump to this post

So, Did you try Beta Alanine? You thought you might a few months ago...

REPLY
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