Aquagenic cutaneous disorders, which include aquagenic urticaria, aquagenic pruritus, and aquagenic acrokeratoderma, are a group of rare diseases characterized by skin lesions or discomfort induced by brief contact with water. Aquagenic urticaria is characterized by pruritic wheals that occur at the sites of water contact, either immediately or within minutes, and disappear within 30-60 min after water removal. Aquagenic pruritus presents with severe pruritus or a stinging, tingling, or burning sensation without any visible skin changes. These symptoms occur immediately or within minutes after the skin is exposed to water, lasting for one hour or longer. Aquagenic acrokeratoderma usually presents with whitish papules and plaques, edema, and hyperwrinkling within 2-20 min after brief exposure to water; symptoms disappear within minutes to one hour after drying. The pathomechanisms of these diseases are not yet fully understood, and their diagnosis is primarily based on clinical features. Treatment remains a challenge. Herein, we review the literature regarding these unusual disorders.
© 2017 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.