World3 min(s) read
A teenager who has reportedly spent much of the past five years "living in a pond" because of a mysterious burning sensation has claimed there is one thing stopping him from staying out of the water.
Iqbal Sheikh, 16, from Murshidabad in West Bengal, India, reportedly spends days at a time in ponds to find relief from his symptoms.
The teenager experiences an intense burning sensation across his body whenever he leaves the water, with the discomfort apparently easing when he gets back in.
While doctors have yet to diagnose the cause of his symptoms, Sheikh himself has attributed what happens to him outside the water to something supernatural.
According to India Today, Sheikh has attributed the sensation to the presence of a "jinn, fairy, or other supernatural entity".
In Arabic mythology, a jinn, also known as a jinni or genie, is a spirit that inhabits the Earth but cannot be seen by humans.
Britannica explains: "They are conceptualized in Islam as creatures parallel to human beings who are capable of choosing between good and evil and must thus face eventual salvation or damnation."
"Jinn delight in punishing humans for any harm done to them, intentionally or unintentionally, and are said to be responsible for many diseases and all kinds of accidents," they added.
Locals have expressed concerns about the potential effects of Sheikh spending so much time submerged.
They reportedly claim the skin on parts of his body, including his hands and feet, has turned pale and that he has developed cold and cough symptoms.
Sheikh reportedly sought treatment at a local primary health center but did not receive the help he needed, while his family is said to be unable to afford treatment at a private hospital.
Indian businessman Anant Ambani, the son of Mukesh Ambani, reportedly became aware of Sheikh's situation after his story spread on social media.
Ambani is said to have arranged for the teenager to travel more than 1,300 miles to Mumbai to undergo a specialist medical evaluation.
Doctors will carry out examinations to try to figure out what has been causing Iqbal's symptoms and determine how his condition could be treated or managed.
While there is still no confirmed diagnosis, some have reportedly suggested his symptoms could be consistent with erythromelalgia - a rare disorder that can affect your feet, hands, and other areas. It can cause a burning sensation in the skin as well as warmth and redness.
According to Cleveland Clinic, erythromelalgia is chronic and can remain with a person for life, while its exact cause is not always clear.
The NHS states that flare-ups can be triggered by increases in body temperature and that, in some cases, the condition can result from a genetic change inherited from a parent.
Despite similarities between those symptoms and what Iqbal has reportedly experienced, there is currently no confirmed diagnosis linking him to the condition.
Therefore, specialists will need to conduct thorough examinations before determining the cause of his years-long ordeal and deciding on an appropriate treatment or management plan.
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