Man Whose Body Confuses Cold and Hot Sensations Baffles Doctors

On May 9th, 2025, an Australian man who is 22 years old has been dealing with a mysterious illness that causes his body to feel hot when exposed to cold and cold when in contact with anything hot. Aidan McManus first experienced symptoms when he was 17 years old and in his final year of high school. Initially, he lost sensation in his feet, describing them as “tingly and numbish.” As his feet began to swell, he sought medical help, but the prescribed medication for fluid retention did not alleviate his condition. His health deteriorated further, with walking feeling like stepping on sharp tacks, and he was diagnosed with post-viral irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), complicating his situation. Despite his declining health, Aidan managed to graduate from high school, but later started experiencing an unusual sensation in his hands. When he touched something cold, his hands felt like they were burning, and when he touched something hot, it felt extremely cold.

Neurologists have been attempting to unravel Aidan’s peculiar condition for years, conducting numerous tests, performing a lumbar puncture, and even conducting a nerve biopsy in his foot, but they have not been able to provide a definitive answer. Eventually, a doctor diagnosed him with a generalised nerve disorder known as axonal peripheral neuropathy, impacting the transmission of nerve signals throughout his body. His mother, Angela McManus, shared with 9News that Aidan’s hands also experienced the same sensations, with cold objects feeling burning hot and hot objects feeling freezing cold. Aidan’s condition has rendered him unable to cook, requiring extreme caution with food temperature.

Despite Aidan’s plight, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) in Australia has rejected his request for support, citing insufficient exploration of treatment options. However, Aidan’s neurologist clarified that he suffers from a progressive neurological condition for which there is no known cure. The doctor advocated for Aidan’s eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) due to his incurable disability that is expected to worsen over time.