The inability to sweat can be life threatening. Children born without sweat glands suffer from hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED). This rare disorder puts people at high risk for heat stroke; so they must stay in cool or air-conditioned places.
Dehydration and heat stroke can cause death when they are not treated. If a person doesn't have enough water in her body to sweat, she can become dehydrated. In high temperatures, dehydration and overheating can happen very quickly and without sweat, the body cannot cool itself down. It's important to replace the fluids lost through sweat by drinking water or sports drinks.
