NIAH'S WATER ALLERGY TREATMENT!

Hi everyone, my name is Niah Selway and I am a 24-year-old content creator. 

My skin itches for hours after I come into contact with any type of water including rain, sweat, tears, urine etc. The condition is called Aquagenic Pruritus, which I am suffering from an extremely severe case of. My symptoms began at around age 5 and steadily worsened as I went through puberty. At 5 years old, I started to have allergic reactions to my showers, which doctors believed was due to changes in my hormones during puberty. After many attempted treatments to lessen my symptoms, they soon decided that my skin condition was likely incurable. I had undergone over 8 years of treatment, having exhausted every available treatment avenue available on the NHS. My condition responded to nothing they had tried and they couldn’t find a specific cause for why this could be happening to me. 

My allergic reactions feel like an intense itching, burning sensation, from both underneath and on the surface of the skin. The painful episodes can last anywhere from 1 - 4 hours after the initial contact with water, which makes bathing and caring for myself an ongoing challenge. If I itch my skin, it doesn’t give me any relief. Neither does moisturizing or taking antihistamines, painkillers or beta-alanine (a widely praised source of relief for AP sufferers).

So far, my treatment has been entirely provided by the NHS, which I am so deeply grateful for. As they have exhausted their treatment options, I am left with the ultimatum of choosing to endure the rest of my life having upwards of 7 allergic reactions per day or finding a way to fund the medical care I need.

I have several tests and routes which I feel are essential for us to explore, all of which the NHS is refusing me.

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As of today (22/03/2021) I have been accepted into the University of Münster (Germany) clinic for private treatment as an international patient.

I am aware that the target of my fundraiser is extremely daunting, but this is because the clinic has asked me to prepare for the worst-case scenario. They have shown concerns that many of my symptoms can point towards Polycythemia Vera (a rare blood cancer), Hepatitis B or other serious conditions. With this in mind, they have asked for me to refrain from taking on this financial commitment before I have the funds available to see it through even to the next few steps. As the clinic explained to me, if I return to Germany to find out the cause is blood cancer or something else, I must be prepared/financially able to commit to treatment, potentially residing in Germany for the duration of the treatment and for the continuous travel from the UK to Germany for my medical consultations.

The target is based on the fact that this is a complete handover of my medical care to a private hospital, which is why the target is so high. This is an investigative process that could take many years. On my first visit, I was required to sign documentation stating that I take on full financial liability for any treatment they may need to perform as part of this process.

This leaves me in a difficult situation because I have no idea how much this entire process may amount to. I’m also conscious that the clinic is Germany-based, which could result in many trips back and forth. This will cost in flights, accommodation and living costs whilst I’m there.

My symptoms forced me to leave full-time employment, because of the frequency and intensity of my allergic reactions. This has left me in a horrible position financially, with disability benefits being my only source of income.

I know it’s a lot to ask, but any small donation helps me get just a few steps closer to a normal life. If I can just halve the allergic reactions I have daily, my life will improve. significantly.

Thank you so much for taking time to read about my story and for any & every contribution made.

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Since my diagnosis of Aquagenic Pruritus, I have documented my journey on YouTube, where I share what life is like with this condition.

* You can find more information on my skin condition here *