Strange Medical Conditions You Won’t Believe Are Real

Aquagenic Urticaria

Aquagenic urticaria, more commonly known as an allergy to water, is a rare allergy causing hives or red welts upon contact with water. In most cases, the rash develops on the neck, upper torso, and arms, lasting thirty minutes to an hour after the water has been removed. There is not enough evidence to determine an exact cause of aquagenic urticaria. However, medical professionals have suggested two theories: dissolved chemicals or substances in the water trigger an allergic reaction, or the mixture of water and a dissolved substance is the cause of the allergy.

The typical treatments for aquagenic urticaria include antihistamines, stanozolol, creams acting as a barrier between skin and water, Ultraviolet B light treatments, and a bath with sodium bicarbonate.

Now that you know about the water allergy, read further to discover what alien hand syndrome is. Unfortunately no, you cannot phone home with it.

Polymelia

Polymelia is an extremely rare congenital disability where the patient is born with five or more limbs. The four kinds of polymelia are cephalomelia, an additional limb connected to the patient’s head; pyromelia, a limb attached to the pelvis; thoracomelia, a limb attached to the thorax; and notomelia; an extra limb attached to the backbone.

Polymelia is rare, affecting approximately sixty-five out of every one-thousand babies, but can be found during pregnancy through ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Treatments require surgery to cut the soft tissue between the additional limb(s) and the rest of the body. However, it can sometimes lead to lifelong complications or disabilities.

Now that you know about polymelia, keep reading to learn about the disease that starred in the film Jack, portrayed by Robin Williams.