Rare Skin Condition Makes Florida Woman Allergic To Her Own Sweat And Tears

Allergies are a huge source of discomfort. But Florida's Julie Reid's allergies are the worst. She suffers from a rare immunological condition, making her allergic to her own sweat and tears, which causes rashes with every drop.

This is the cholinergic urticarial. Her skin becomes hypersensitive to everything, including exercise and stress.

"I am allergic to my own sweat (and tears)," Reid said on her GoFundMe page.  "Me, out of all people. Someone who was so physically active every day."

It all began just three years ago when she was working at a gym. Continuous sweating that made her leave her job has now made her remain at home. She breaks out in hives even when she takes simple tasks like vacuuming the house.

The condition has also spoilt her personal life, as she is not able to go out much in order to avoid stress.

"I went from being a gymnast and a dancer, to not being able to walk through the grocery store, during the day, without receiving hurtful stares," Reid said. "It is just as emotionally painful as it is physically."

Cholinergic urticaria causes the release of histamine and other chemicals just beneath the skin, leading to the swelling of tissues and causing small, bumpy rashes. While heat may be the cause, sweating is the immediate stimulus leading to the condition.

There is no known treatment.  Most patients are put on antihistamines, but little else, says the National Organization for Rare Diseases.

"Currently, there is no cure," Reid said. "And I have no money to continue living like this, nor pay my medical bills. Especially without any health insurance. I cannot work and I am still fighting for disability assistance."

Patients of short-term urticaria undergo these struggles due to food allergies, insect bites, stress and particular medications. But when the immune system attacks tissues when it is undergoing these bouts, it can lead to chronic urticaria.

Chronic urticaria may also be related to ailments such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.