A mum who is allergic to water says taking a shower or getting caught in the rain feels like someone has 'taken a lighter to her body'.

Kendall Bryce, 25, has aquagenic urticaria - a rare condition which causes her skin to swell and break out in hives whenever she comes into contact with water.

The mum-of-one, who is currently pregnant with her second child, says her life is "a daily struggle" - as she suffers from "excruciating" pain whenever she tries to wash her hands or her body. "

She is also affected by rain water and very humid days, meaning her life is "dictated" by the weather, and even feels a "burning" sensation when she drinks water. "

Doctors have so far been unable to find any medication which works for Kendall - and so she has been forced to continue living her life in "excruciating" pain. "

She is speaking out now in the hope that someone somewhere will be able to provide her with a long-term solution.

Kendall, from Durham, said: "It really is a daily struggle. I can only have a bath or take a shower twice a week because of how excruciating the pain is - so I constantly worry I stink."

"My life is dictated by the weather as I have to avoid rain - and even hot humid days. I check the forecast every day and stay home if it's raining or going to rain. "

"But if I get caught out by surprise - my body reacts and it's really painful. "

"I've never been able to give my one-year-old son a bath. My mum has to do it for me. And I even feel my throat burning when I drink water." "

Kendall says the pain has escalated over the past few years - to the point where it becomes so bad that her body can go into shock.

She said: "When it started, it felt a bit like I was getting nettle stings all over my body. But now it feels like someone has taken a lighter to my body. It's excruciating. "

"I'll be in agony for about half an hour after washing - but it feels like it's two hours. I cry throughout. It's actually so bad that my body can go into shock - so it's dangerous. "

"It means my mum has to sit with my son whenever I have a bath."

Kendall first discovered her condition when she was 15 and started breaking out in hives whenever she took a bath.

Initially, she could treat her symptoms with Piriton - but over the years things deteriorated.

The stay-at-home mum said: "The GP didn't have a clue what to do. It's just such a rare condition - so not many people have it and not many people know about it." "

Kendall was later referred to a dermatologist at the University Hospital of North Durham - who finally diagnosed her with aquagenic urticaria in 2021.

However, she is still yet to find any medication that helps her condition.

She said: "They've tried lots of different medications but I kept reacting. I still haven't found something that helps. "

"At the moment, there are only so many things I can try as I'm pregnant. Once I give birth, we'll try more. But the thing is, the doctors just don't know what will help." "

Kendall hopes that in sharing her story she might find someone who knows how to treat her.

She said: "I really hope an expert might get in touch and know what to do. "

"At the moment, it all feels quite degrading. "

"I just want a normal life where I can go out in the rain, have a shower, and give my son a bath."