West Bengal teen who lived in a pond to escape unbearable burning is now being treated in a Mumbai hospital A 16-year-old boy from Murshidabad in West Bengal spent months living in a pond after complaining of intense burning whenever he stepped out of water, and he is now being treated at a hospital in Mumbai. A 16-year-old boy from Murshidabad district in West Bengal has been at the centre of an unusual medical mystery for months, his body reportedly starts burning the moment he steps out of water, a problem that pushed him to spend entire days, sometimes several days at a stretch, submerged in a pond. Why he began living in the pond Iqbal Sheikh, who lives in the Beldanga area, started spending far more time in nearby ponds than at home. He said that as soon as he came out of the water, an intense burning sensation would spread across his body, so staying submerged felt like the only way to avoid the pain. Locals in the area began calling him "Jalmanav", meaning water-man, because of this habit. Crowds gathered after the video went viral Once a video of his condition spread on social media, large numbers of people started turning up at the pond just to see him, and some even brought him food and water. But the constant time spent in water was clearly taking a toll on his body, the skin on his hands, feet and several other parts had begun changing, and he had also started suffering from recurring cold and flu-like symptoms. Talk of a "jinn" and the medical angle Iqbal himself sometimes linked his condition to an invisible force or a "jinn", which fuelled all kinds of rumours locally. However, rather than treating it purely as a matter of superstition, doctors and experts stressed the need for a proper medical evaluation. Reports pointed to the possibility of a rare skin condition called Aquagenic Pruritus, in which contact with water, or coming out of it, can trigger intense itching, burning or discomfort on the skin. Treatment now underway in Mumbai amid financial strain Because his family's financial situation was weak, arranging proper treatment for Iqbal was not easy, and efforts to treat him had so far stayed limited to the local level. Now that his story has reached a wider audience, he has started receiving treatment at a hospital in Mumbai. The biggest question at this point remains why his body reacts with such severe discomfort the moment he steps out of water, and whether treatment will eventually let him return to a normal life. What this means for you The story does not carry a direct financial impact, but it highlights how important it is to recognise rare skin conditions early and seek proper treatment instead of relying on superstition. • Across India: Rare conditions like Aquagenic Pruritus often go undiagnosed for months because families mistake the symptoms for the work of an evil spirit or bad luck. Anyone experiencing repeated burning or itching after contact with water should get examined by a dermatologist without delay. • In West Bengal: Iqbal's case from the Beldanga area of Murshidabad has drawn attention from local authorities and social organisations. It could help push access to free or affordable medical care for financially weak families dealing with such rare illnesses. Why this happened The exact cause behind Iqbal's condition has not been fully established yet, but reports point to a rare skin condition that may explain why he felt forced to stay in pond water for long stretches. • The trigger: Iqbal said that as soon as he came out of water, intense burning would spread across his entire body, which is why he started staying submerged for hours and even days. • Possible medical cause: Reports have raised the possibility of a rare condition called Aquagenic Pruritus, in which contact with water or emerging from it causes sharp itching and burning on the skin. • Effect of superstition: Iqbal himself sometimes linked his suffering to an invisible force or a jinn, which fuelled rumours locally and delayed a proper medical evaluation. • Financial hurdle: His family's weak financial condition meant better treatment wasn't possible earlier, so efforts stayed limited to the local level for a long time. Questions & Answers 1. Who is Iqbal Sheikh? He is a 16-year-old boy from the Beldanga area of Murshidabad district in West Bengal, who started living in a pond because of intense burning whenever he stepped out of water. 2. Why did people call him Jalmanav? Because he began spending not just hours but several days at a stretch in different ponds, which led locals in the area to give him this nickname, meaning water-man. 3. What medical cause has been suggested for his condition? Reports have pointed to a rare skin condition called Aquagenic Pruritus, in which contact with water triggers intense itching or burning on the skin. 4. Was his suffering linked to a jinn? Yes, Iqbal himself sometimes attributed it to an invisible force or a jinn, though experts said it needed proper medical evaluation. 5. Where is he being treated now? After his story gained wider attention, he has started receiving treatment at a hospital in Mumbai. 6. Why was there a delay in getting him better treatment? His family's weak financial condition meant that earlier efforts to treat him stayed limited to the local level. https://trendkia.com/en/health/murshidabad-ke-16-varshiya-larake-ka-sharira-pani-se-bahara-ate-hi-jalane-lagata-hai-aba-mumbai-men-mila-raha-ilaja-29454 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.