Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Teenager’s Pond Refuge Highlights Suspected Rare Burning-Pain Disorder
A 16-year-old boy in West Bengal reportedly stays in a pond because his skin feels intensely hot and painful outside the water.
Cooling seems to give him temporary relief.
Doctors suspect a rare condition called erythromelalgia, but they have not confirmed it.
This condition can make parts of the body red, swollen, warm and painfully burning.
It often affects the hands or feet, but other areas can also be involved.
Heat, exercise, stress and some foods may make symptoms worse.
The boy’s family reportedly sought help from hospitals and healers without lasting improvement.
Staying in cold water for a long time can itself hurt the skin and cause tissue damage.
Doctors need to examine him and test for possible causes before deciding on treatment.
A 16-year-old from Murshidabad reportedly spends long periods in a pond to ease severe burning sensations.
Doctors suspect erythromelalgia, but the teenager’s diagnosis has not been confirmed.
Erythromelalgia can cause burning pain, redness, warmth, swelling and other symptoms during flare-ups.
Warmth, exercise, stress and other triggers may worsen symptoms, while cooling can provide temporary relief.
Experts warn that prolonged ice or cold-water exposure can damage skin and tissue.
- Who
- A 16-year-old boy identified in reports as Iqbal Sheikh, from Murshidabad, West Bengal.
- What
- He reportedly spends long periods in a pond to relieve severe burning sensations; doctors suspect erythromelalgia, but the diagnosis is pending.
- When
- Reports say he has spent much of the last five years mostly in the pond.
- Where
- Murshidabad, West Bengal; reportedly in a pond near his home.
- Why
- Cooling reportedly reduces the burning sensation, which may be linked to suspected erythromelalgia.
- Reported age
- 16 years old
- Reported location
- Murshidabad, West Bengal
- Reported duration
- Mostly living in a pond for about five years
- Suspected condition
- Erythromelalgia
- Typical symptoms
- Burning pain, redness, warmth, swelling, tingling or itching
- Potential triggers
- Heat, exercise, tight clothing, stress, dehydration, alcohol, spicy foods and sometimes caffeine
- Cooling warning
- The NHS and Cleveland Clinic warn that prolonged ice or cold-water exposure can damage skin and tissue