Tessa Hansen-Smith, a 25-year-old woman from the United States, is living with a rare and baffling condition known as Aquagenic Urticaria. This unusual condition makes her allergic to water, an essential element of life that most people take for granted.
Tessa has decided to share her story in the hope of raising awareness about her condition and offering support to others who may be living with chronic illnesses.
Tessa’s journey with Aquagenic Urticaria began when she was just eight years old, and it has progressively worsened over the years.
Tessa said: “I would come out of showers and have huge welts on my skin, and my scalp would be bleeding after showering. So, the first things we kind of did was, ‘Okay, let’s take away your shampoos, take away your conditioner, take away any soaps you’re using.'”
To mitigate the effects of her condition, Tessa has had to make significant lifestyle changes. She’s learned to avoid water as much as possible, and instead, she primarily consumes milk. Milk is a preferable option for her as it contains proteins, fats, and sugars, which buffer the water’s effects and reduce her allergic reactions.
Tessa’s life has been a constant battle against her body’s reaction to water. Her condition became even more challenging when, after years of testing by numerous specialists, it was finally diagnosed by her own mother, Dr. Karen Hansen-Smith, who is a family medicine physician.
“I feel a little guilty as a mom for not having seen when she would get out of the shower that she had hives and figuring it out way earlier that it was a water issue.
“It is heartbreaking. I still have my daughter, she’s 25. She’s not living the life she wanted to live,” said Karen.
Tessa’s condition has confined her to a restricted lifestyle. She has to be cautious not to sweat too much, limiting physical activity and outdoor exposure.
“In the summertime, when people are going to the beach, people are having pool parties and trying to escape the heat the best they can, those are things I can’t participate in and can’t enjoy, so it can be really isolating,” Tessa said.
Unfortunately, her health took a severe turn when Tessa became severely dehydrated due to her avoidance of water. This condition led to ischemic colitis, a medical condition where blood flow to the colon is blocked, resulting in serious illness. She spent 12 days at Community Regional Medical Center undergoing treatment and is still in the process of recovering with the help of physical therapy.
Despite her challenges, Tessa maintains a positive perspective and a determination to help others.
“That seriously makes all the difference, having people around you that do believe you and are helpful.
“I always think about how much easier and how much better life would have been if this didn’t happen to me, but because I know I can’t really change that, I just focus on how I can help other people going through similar things,” she explained.
She has shared her story through various platforms, including a book titled “Chronically Empowered” and an appearance on the Dr. Oz show. Tessa’s story has gained significant attention on social media, and she actively uses her Instagram page, “Living Waterless,” to connect with others who have rare and often misunderstood conditions, offering understanding and support.
Tessa’s goal is to continue pursuing a nursing degree, and as a future nurse, she intends to approach her patients with compassion and a deep belief in their symptoms. She hopes for a return to normalcy in her life, one where she can go back to school, find a job, and enjoy the simple pleasures that many take for granted.
Tessa’s journey serves as an inspiration for others facing similar challenges, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Her story also sheds light on the importance of raising awareness about rare and poorly understood medical conditions, as well as the need for support and compassion for those who live with them.
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