Boy, 16, 'living in a pond' after developing unbearable condition finally being seen by doctors

Boy, 16, 'living in a pond' after developing unbearable condition finally being seen by doctors Iqbal Sheikh, 16, started spending his days sitting in ponds and rivers after suffering a 'burning' sensation all over his body - he is now set to be treated by doctors A 16-year-old boy who has been living in a pond is being seen by doctors after a campaign by concerned neighbours. Iqbal Sheikh said he experiences a burning sensation all over his body whenever he is out of water, leading him to spend much of his days sitting in ponds around his village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, India. He has suffered from the mystery skin condition for over five years, and has taken to sitting in water to alleviate his pain. The teen's struggle made headlines across his home country and around the world after locals raised the alarm - and this week he was flown to Mumbai's Sir HN Reliance Hospital for diagnosis and treatment. Doctors believe he could be suffering from erythromelalgia, a rare condition that causes burning pain, redness and hot skin. This is most often felt in the feet, according to the NHS, and is usually treated with creams, gels, sprays, or tablets. Iqbal is expected to stay at the hospital while doctors carry out tests and find an appropriate course of treatment. His airlift to Mumbai was paid for by Indian billionaire Anant Ambani, reported local media. One video circulating online from before the intervention showed Iqbal sitting in a pond, eating snacks. In another, taken inside his home, he is seen crying out in pain while covered in towels, surrounded by his family. Iqbal’s parents had previously taken him to local hospitals, but they were forced to halt his care due to severe financial constraints. In one interview with a TV crew, he put his symptoms to a "djinn" or supernatural force taking control of his body. While it provided short-term relief from his flare-ups, experts had grown increasingly concerned about his extended time in the water, warning that it posed its own severe health risks. One dermatologist said that spending days submerged causes skin to become dangerously soft and pale, increasing his susceptibility to severe fungal and bacterial infections. His family are said to be hopeful that his admission to hospital will give him long-term medical support that can allow him to live a normal life at home.