So back in December I filmed a documentary with ProSieben TV for their program Galileo focusing on my Aquagenic Urticaria. Then in January they sent me to Berlin to see a specialist who diagnosed it as more Aquagenic Pruritis and wrote down some medication to pass to my GP for me to trial.
I was also contacted by a news agency who crammed the story all over the front pages on newspapers. (Egh!)
This afternoon I also featured on BBC WM and I chatted to the lovely Caroline Martin. (Interview in the first few minutes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qqfjy )
The reason why I'm doing this is to raise awareness of the conditions as some folks (including health practitioners) still don't think it's a real condition and some just don't know anything about it.
I'll just go ahead and answer some FAQ for you to save time:
Q: "How do you drink?"
A: I don't drink as much as most people. I can't drink water and all liquids cause a reaction in my throat but some moreso than others. Milk and orange juice is less of a problem and I drink tea with half milk half tea.
Q: "How do you wash?"
A: Like anyone else. :P Just minimally. I can only have a bath every week or so at most and it's limited to a few minutes at a time. Other than that I use distilled witch-hazel.
Q: "How do you live since the body is made up of water?"
A: Hohoho. Yeah, well, I'd like to know that too. They still aren't sure what causes it, though some specialists think it may have something to do with mast cells or the bloods histamine levels.
Q: "How do you manage when it rains?"
A: I'm usually prepared. I have a coat with a big hood. But if I am caught out it's a case of putting up with the pain and itching until I can get home.
Q: "Is it just water?"
A: No. Any liquids. Blood, sweat, tears, saliva, oil, creams, you name it. Even things like mascara and eye pencils are a no no.
