Modern Mysteries

Unexplained illness sees man feel cold and heat sensations in reverse

By T.K. Randall
May 18, 2025 ·  1 comment

What would it be like if hot things felt cold and cold things felt hot ? Image Credit: Envato Aidan McManus first began experiencing odd symptoms when he was still in high school at the age of 17, starting with inexplicable swelling and numbness in his feet.

Things quickly got worse, with his symptoms expanding to include the unbearable sensation that he was walking on sharp tacks every time he stood up.

But it was after graduating that his most notable symptom began to manifest.

Before long, McManus found that he would experience a burning sensation in his hands when picking up something cold - like a can of drink from the fridge - and a freezing sensation when handling anything hot. This unfortunate malady also means that he has to be very careful not to burn himself when picking up something scalding hot, as to him it simply feels cold, like handling an ice cube.

"For obvious reasons, he can't cook," said his mother.

"He's got to be very careful. When I do give him meals, I've got to say, 'It's really hot,' or, 'It's really cold.'"

As things stand, doctors remain completely baffled by his condition - which is believed to be neurological in nature - and do not know how to treat it.

Exactly how it will progress over the coming years remains unclear.

Source: Oddity Central | Comments (1)

Tags: Illness