By Laura Pullman

PUBLISHED: 14:40 EST, 30 June 2012 | UPDATED: 03:20 EST, 1 July 2012

With a ferocious heat wave sweeping across the nation, millions of Americans are taking extra measures to keep cool.

But one St Louis family have to go even further to protect themselves from the scorching sun as they have a rare condition which means they physically cannot sweat.

Virginia Higgins and her four-year-old son Zane both have a form of ectodermal dysplasias, a genetic condition that affects sweat glands and causes defects in hair, nails and teeth.

Scroll down for video

Keeping it cool: Virginia Higgins and her 4year-old son Zane, right, both have a form of ectodermal dysplasias which stops their ability to sweat, meaning they need to be extra careful in hot weather

Extra careful: Zane's parents use ice blankets and jackets to make sure the 4-year-old doesn't overheat when playing outside; he is pictured here with his dad Brian

Diagnosed with the condition as a child, Ms Higgins has become an expert in forward planning for the hot weather.

The ectodermal dysplasias are inherited disorders that involve defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands and teeth.

Excerpt from:
Keeping it cool! Mom and son, 4, who cannot sweat during holiday heatwave because of rare genetic condition

Comments are closed.