Health
Indian Teenager Spends Five Years Living in Well Due to Mysterious Skin Condition
A 16-year-old boy from West Bengal, India, has reportedly lived in a small well for five years to manage severe, unexplained skin burning sensations.
According to a report by Khaosod Online, 16-year-old Iqbal Sheikh from Murshidabad, West Bengal, has spent the last five years living primarily inside a small well. The teenager claims that staying submerged in the cool water is the only way to alleviate intense, painful burning sensations that occur on his skin whenever he remains out of the water for extended periods.
Iqbal’s family reports that they have sought medical assistance from various hospitals and alternative healers over the years, yet no definitive diagnosis or effective treatment has been identified. While Iqbal has expressed a personal belief that his condition may be linked to supernatural causes, such as 'jinn' or spirits, the medical community has yet to provide a clinical explanation for his symptoms. The story gained significant attention after viral footage showed the boy submerged in the well up to his neck.
Recently, a wealthy benefactor has stepped in to assist, facilitating Iqbal’s transfer to a medical facility in Mumbai for further evaluation. For residents and travelers, this case highlights the complexities of undiagnosed medical conditions in remote areas. It remains to be confirmed whether specialized medical testing in Mumbai will uncover a physiological cause for his condition or provide a path toward recovery.