Strange Allergies That Are Luckily Super Rare

Allergies are a part of life that millions of children and adults have to face. The body develops allergies when the immune system overreacts to an allergen, causing symptoms like itchy skin, sneezing, and watery eyes as well as more serious ones like life-threatening anaphylaxis. People are often allergic to pollen, dust, insect stings, animal dander, some foods and medicines. However, there are some allergens that are weird and super rare. Let’s get into five of them.\r \r 1. Water\r \r Water is essential for survival but some people actually get itchy hives or swelling whenever their skin comes into contact with water. Water allergy also known as aquagenic urticaria is extremely rare and can only affect one in every 23 million people. Life is extremely difficult for individuals who are allergic to water because they get reactions to rain, sweat, tears and foods that contain water like juices or tea. Having a shower becomes extremely difficult. As such, they are forced to stay mostly indoors. Although some topical and oral medications can reduce the irritation, there is no known treatment for water allergy.\r \r 2. Sun\r \r Just a few hundred people in the world are allergic to the sun and have to avoid this part of nature at all cost. People who suffer from solar urticaria, as it is called, develop a rash when exposed to the sun. The immune system triggers inflammatory cells that are within the skin when exposed to direct sunlight. Most sun allergy sufferers are advised to limit their exposure and wear sun protection. They should also stop using any medications that make their skin more sensitive to the sun.   \r \r 3. Exercise\r \r We’ve most likely heard someone express that they are allergic to exercise as a way to say that they just absolutely hate it. Well, it may surprise you to know that being allergic to exercise is a real thing that is experienced by about 1000 people. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis causes people to experience an allergic reaction to exercise which is characterized by fever, hives and anaphylaxis. Symptoms may occur with exercise alone or may be set off by some foods eaten prior to exercise. A person can easily consume peanuts or shellfish without experiencing any negative side effects, but when activity is added, the person may faint, vomit, and have breathing difficulties.\r \r 4. Cold\r \r Being cold isn’t a welcomed feeling for most people but being allergic to cold temperatures is even worse. Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) can be life threatening. The body will release histamine in response to cold temperatures, which results in rashes, hives, redness, and swelling of the skin. When very cold foods are eaten, the throat and tongue can swell and breathing may be difficult. This allergy can also cause severe drops in blood pressure. Going swimming in a cold pool or taking a cool shower can result in the body going into shock which can be dangerous.\r \r 5. Computers\r \r Computers are ubiquitous and it is also impossible to stay away from them. Well, some people have no choice if they are allergic to computers. Yes, this is a real thing. There have been a growing number of complaints from computer users that they experience sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, and headaches when using the computer. Well, scientists have confirmed that the chemical, triphenyl phosphate, used to make computer screens as a flame retardant, give off emissions that cause allergic reactions. It is believed that the level of the chemical decreases when the computer is used for a long time.\r \r