16-year-old boy who spent five years in a pond is airlifted for specialist treatment as doctors investigate mysterious condition

A 16-year-old boy who has spent much of the past five years sitting in ponds and rivers is finally receiving specialist medical care after a mysterious condition left him in severe pain whenever he was out of the water.

Iqbal Sheikh, from Murshidabad district in West Bengal, India, is now being treated at Sir HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai, where doctors are carrying out tests to determine exactly what is causing his symptoms.

The teenager's case drew widespread attention after concerned neighbors raised the alarm about the amount of time he was spending submerged.

According to the Daily Mirror, his family had previously taken him to local hospitals, but financial difficulties meant they were unable to continue his treatment.

Why does Iqbal Sheikh need to stay in water?

Iqbal has reportedly experienced a burning sensation across his body for more than five years.

Sitting in water provides him with temporary relief, so he began spending large portions of his days in ponds around his village.

His symptoms have become so difficult to manage that videos shared before he received specialist treatment showed him sitting in a pond while eating snacks.

Another video, filmed inside his home, showed him crying out in pain while surrounded by family members and covered with towels.

At one point, Iqbal attributed what was happening to a 'djinn' - a supernatural force that, according to his understanding, had taken control of his body.

Doctors now believe the teenager could have erythromelalgia, a rare condition associated with burning pain, redness and unusually hot skin.

The symptoms are most commonly experienced in the feet, although Iqbal's reported symptoms involve his body more broadly.

Erythromelalgia can be treated in several ways, including creams, gels, sprays and tablets, although doctors at the Mumbai hospital will need to establish the cause of Iqbal's symptoms before deciding on an appropriate treatment plan.

What is erythromelalgia and why is staying in water dangerous?

While water has offered Iqbal relief, specialists have warned that spending prolonged periods submerged comes with serious health risks of its own.

One dermatologist said extended time in water can leave skin dangerously soft and pale, making it more vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infections.

Iqbal is expected to remain in hospital while doctors conduct further tests and work out a longer-term approach to managing his condition.

His admission follows a campaign by people in his community who wanted him to receive specialist care.

The teenager's trip to Mumbai was reportedly funded by Indian billionaire Anant Ambani, who paid for his airlift to the city.

His family is now hopeful that the hospital treatment will provide a solution that allows Iqbal to manage his symptoms without having to spend his days in ponds and rivers.

For now, doctors are still working to establish precisely what is behind the burning sensation that has shaped the teenager's life for years.