12-year-old Tariq from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has had large hands since birth. No one diagnosed the boy, but some doctors suggest that it may be about elephantiasis (elephantiasis). And far from reasonable thinking, the locals are sure that Tariq was the victim of a mysterious curse.
Working in a tea stall, the boy is showered with barbs not only by his neighbors, but also by his old friends. They even refused to admit the young Indian to school, fearing that with his "terrible hands" Tariq would scare away all the students.
When his father died in his family, there was no money left to visit doctors, from whom the boy's relatives wanted to get answers. Nevertheless, the teenager has not lost his optimism and hopes to recover one day.
- I want to get rid of this disease. I want to become like other children who go to school and play every day. I want to be normal. I do not give up hope that my hands will become normal. I used to have a lot of friends. Now I don't have them at all. People are afraid of my hands. I wanted to go to study, but the school refused to accept me.
The villagers, who consider Tariq a devil, continue to blindly believe that the boy suffered from the curse.
- The people think that someone has cursed me. They don't understand that I have a disease and that it can be cured. Our family simply has no money for treatment. But this does not mean at all that I cannot get better.
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Tariq's caring brother, Hargyan, stated:
- The school authorities have decided to deny Tariq his studies, as his huge hands will frighten other children. In almost every school, my brother was turned down. His hands are really big. In all my life I have not seen such huge hands. My brother's life is stalled. He can't even change his clothes. I have to look after Tariq. Tariq finds it difficult to cope with everyday tasks, be it bathing, dressing or eating.
The boys' aunt, Pushpa, is also optimistic and confident that one day Tariq will get better.
“Tarik is completely dependent on us. We have to take care of him all the time. But I'm sure he will get the best treatment. While his father was alive, Tariq constantly went to local doctors. But with the death of the head of the family, only his mother was left, so there is no longer an opportunity to get any medicines.
In search of a cure, we went to different places. But everywhere we were met by local doctors without serious medical equipment. We just can't afford a good hospital for Tariq. Contacting local doctors did not help. Each of them offered a specific type of treatment. But we couldn't pull costs. Tariq will have to remain as he is now until we have money for treatment.
Dr Pavar Kumar Ganghi, who recently examined the teenager, said:
- In fact, the problem of Tariq remains a mystery to us. We have never encountered such patients before. I saw several similar cases, but then it was about elephantiasis. His condition resembles this disease. The chances of healing are small, but nothing is impossible. In the era of science, when there is so much research going on, anything is possible.
What is elephantiasis (elephantiasis)?
Elephantiasis is characterized by abnormal tissue edema resulting in enlargement of the affected area of the body. Most often, parasites carried by mosquitoes are responsible for the development of the disease.
Legs and genitals, which become thick and saggy, are commonly affected. Excessive fluid accumulation leads to darkening and ulceration of the skin. In severe cases, blood vessels can be damaged, which can be fatal.
Certain antibiotics are used to kill parasites. Surgery is done when tumors become abnormally large.