“I’ve never been able to give my one-year-old son a bath,” she added. “My mom has to do it for me.”
Recalling her first experience with the condition, Kendall described the sensation as feeling like she was being stung by nettles all over her body after taking a bath 10 years ago.
Bathing and rain water causes her skin to break out (Lee McLean/SWNS)
Initially, her symptoms were somewhat manageable with the help of antihistamines, but she now finds that the pain has intensified, feeling more like burning.
“I’ll be in agony for about half an hour after washing – it seems like two hours. I cry through it all. It’s so severe that my body can go into shock – it’s dangerous,” she noted.
Kendall is not alone in expressing her struggles; Tessa Hansen-Smith, another sufferer, has mentioned that showers cause her to faint from the pain, forcing her to drink milk to avoid dehydration.
Kendall added that medical professionals are puzzled by her condition due to its rarity.
“The GP was clueless about how to proceed,” she said. “Very few people have it and awareness is low.”
Her diagnosis came in 2021 after being referred to a dermatologist, but she hasn’t found an effective medication yet.
“They’ve tried numerous medications, but I keep reacting badly. So far, nothing has worked,” she explained.
“Right now, my options are limited since I’m pregnant. After I give birth, we’ll explore more possibilities.”
Kendall hopes that by sharing her story, she may connect with someone who can help treat her.
“I really hope an expert reaches out and knows what to do,” she expressed.
“Currently, it feels quite humiliating.
“All I want is a normal life where I can walk in the rain, take a shower, and give my son a bath.”
