Indian teenager seeks relief from skin pain by living in a pond

Ikbal Sheikh, a 16-year-old from the Murshidabad district in West Bengal, India, has spent much of the last five years submerged in a pond to alleviate intense, painful burning sensations on his skin. The sensation reportedly intensifies upon contact with air, while cool water provides temporary relief.

While some local interpretations attributed the condition to supernatural causes, medical experts suggest the symptoms may be linked to erythromelalgia, a rare condition characterized by skin redness, warmth, and burning pain. The boy's prolonged immersion in water has raised additional health concerns regarding skin changes on his limbs and body.

Following the viral spread of footage showing Sheikh living in the pond, billionaire Anant Ambani reportedly intervened to provide support. Sheikh is being transported over 2,000 kilometers to Mumbai to undergo comprehensive medical evaluations and diagnostic testing by specialist doctors to determine a definitive cause and treatment plan.