A 17-year-old teen, from Utah suffers from a condition that is so rare that it only affects 35 people in the entire world.
Alexandra Allen suffers from what is known as aquagenic urticaria, or allergy to water, which is very dangerous, as even sweating can cause a potentially deadly burning rash.
The first symptom Alexandra suffered from was when she developed hives after spending time in a hot tub while on vacation.
Then she was admitted to hospital with internal bleeding and painful joints, and unable to breathe after doing water activities.
Her diagnosis was difficult and it was until Alexandra herself suggested she might have the allergy after reading about it on the internet that her dermatologist agreed that it was her condition.
She now tries to avoid water as much as she can.
Showers have to be quick and cold and exercising can only be done in cooler temperatures to keep her body from producing too much oil, sweat.
The symptoms can last from a few hours to a week after exposure.
“It feels like your skin has been sandpapered down until there's only one layer left and it itches, but you can't itch it or it will break and burn and bleed,” she said about her condition.
“You just feel like you've been dipped in a vat of acid, not for long, but for long enough to tear off a layer of skin.”
The condition, which can in some people trigger potentially a deadly anaphylactic shock, usually gets worse as sufferers get older.
There is no proven treatment, but dermatologists recommend staying out of the water as much as possible.