Murshidabad teenager seeks relief in water due to anhidrosis

A 17-year-old teenager named Iqbal Sheikh from Murshidabad, West Bengal, has spent significant periods of time submerged in a pond to alleviate intense physical pain. For approximately five years, Iqbal has sought relief in water, claiming that being out of the water causes unbearable burning sensations on his body.

While local residents and the teenager himself initially attributed his behavior to spiritual or supernatural causes, medical experts have provided a clinical explanation. Dr. Brijpal Tyagi identified the condition as anhidrosis, a disorder where the body fails to sweat normally. Because sweating is essential for regulating body temperature, the lack of it causes the body to overheat, leading to extreme sensations of heat and burning.

Iqbal’s family, struggling with poverty following the death of his father, has appealed for government assistance. Local residents and community members have also called upon local authorities and administration to ensure the teenager receives proper medical treatment to manage the condition and prevent further health risks.