Boy, 16, who has been 'living in pond' may have made condition worse by refusing to leave the water

A teenager who has spent the best part of half a decade dwelling in ponds might have been doing himself a disservice all along.

Iqbal Sheikh's unorthodox way of life has been hitting international headlines over the last few weeks after footage of him immersed in a body of water went viral.

The youngster, from West Bengal, India, is reportedly now receiving specialist medical care following his five-year ordeal - and it is suspected his DIY solution might have been making matters worse.

Shocking videos of Sheikh neck-deep in ponds began circulating widely on social media earlier this month, which publicised his bizarre plight.

The 16-year-old says that he experiences a painful burning sensation on his skin - which he believes might be the work of a 'supernatural entity' - that is only relieved when he is in water.

Sheikh, 16, has spent the majority of the last five years submerging himself in ponds (X)

That's why the young lad has spent so much time in local ponds in the Murshidabad district for the last five years, day and night.

Locals say spending so much time submerged is taking its toll on Sheikh, claiming that parts of his body - such as the skin on his hands and feet - have now turned pale.

As well as this, they say he has developed cold and cough symptoms from constantly dipping into ponds.

As the water is apparently the only thing that alleviates his pain, locals often drop supplies off for Sheikh, who has been filmed eating while keeping himself afloat.

Despite his relatives taking him to several hospitals and traditional healers, the cause of his constant agony has not yet been identified - but that might be about to change.

The latest update on Sheikh

Given the widespread media attention that Sheikh's story has received, one of the wealthiest people in India caught wind of his struggle and decided to lend him a hand.

Anant Ambani, who is the son of tycoon Mukesh Ambani, reportedly arranged for the teen to travel more than 1,300 miles to to Mumbai so that he can undergo a specialist evaluation.

According to the Daily Mirror, Sheikh made the journey this week and was flown to the Sir HN Reliance Hospital.

After examining him, doctors are reported to have come to the conclusion that he may be suffering from a rare condition known as erythromelalgia.

The NHS explains that this typically causes 'burning pain, redness and hot skin, mainly in the feet'. The hands, arms, legs, ears and face are also areas which are commonly impacted.

The teen says he is left in agony unless he is in the water (X)

It states: "It can be constant or come and go, but treatment and avoiding triggers can help. The main symptoms are: burning pain, which often starts as itching, redness, warm or hot skin, swelling and sweating more than normal."

The cause of erythromelalgia is not clear, although experts explain that it is occasionally the result of 'another condition' or 'a faulty gene inherited from one of your parents'.

Exercise, wearing warm or tight clothing, warm temperatures, stress, alcohol, spicy food and dehydration can cause flare ups. Treatment depends on the cause, although managing symptoms is the main goal.

Although it is very tempting for erythromelalgia sufferers to soak in cool water to ease their pain like Sheikh, medical experts warn that this will probably actually make your symptoms worse.

The Cleveland Clinic says that soaking in cold water, such as an ice bath, will exacerbate the burning pain and can 'also put you at risk for skin issues, like nonhealing wounds and necrosis, that are difficult to treat'.

How erythromelalgia symptoms can be managed safely

Listing some of the safer treatment options that people with erythromelalgia can try, it explains that some patients are prescribed medication that can help ease other conditions that might be causing it.

Drugs might also be prescribed by doctors to 'relieve symptoms', while the Cleveland Clinic explains that other remedies include:

• Lidocaine infusions, a pain medication you receive through a vein in your arm
• Nutritional supplements, such as magnesium and alpha-lipoic acid
• Pain management therapies, including nerve blocks
• Topical medications, such as creams you apply to your skin

An example of a patient suffering from erythromelalgia (National Library of Medicine)

According to the online health advice hub, elevating the affected area, resting on a cool surface such as a tile floor, using a fan, or wrapping cool first-aid gel packs in a thin towel and placing them on your skin can also help.

Although medics are now thankfully intervening, Sheikh previously suggested the presence of a ‘jinn, fairy or other supernatural entity’ might be responsible for the burning feeling he experiences after climbing out of a pond.

In Arabic mythology, a jinn - which is also known as a jinni or genie - is a spirit that inhabits the Earth but cannot be seen by humans. India Today reported that the teen has been blaming his ordeal on a jinn.

Whatever is responsible for Sheikh's suffering, let's hope the young lad is on the mend very soon.