When life-saving water becomes a source of disease

 When life-saving water becomes a source of disease.

Cheryl Farrugia, 25, from Cardiff, breaks out in tiny welts whenever she comes into contact with water. They are so itchy that they are excruciatingly painful.

It takes a long time for her to fully recover. Doctors say the condition is called aquagenic urticaria, which is commonly known as water allergy.

But why do people get allergic to water? Cheryl says, "It's a condition of the human skin. Although most of the body is made up of water, this logic doesn't work because when my skin comes into contact with water, it causes an adverse reaction."

Cheryl hasn't had the condition since she was a child.

She started experiencing symptoms six weeks after giving birth earlier this year.

But what does Sheryl drink when she is thirsty? How does she manage her daily hygiene?

"I drink water, lots of water, juice or any other liquid. Because my body doesn't react to water, I can drink water properly. I can't shower for more than 2/3 minutes. If I shower for more than that, the results will be very terrible. So before I go to the shower, I put on shampoo, conditioner and everything properly and then enter the bathroom. So that I don't have to be found at that time."