KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 -- Born with the rare genetic condition Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (HED), Mohamad Syafiq Zulkarnain has grown accustomed to the curious stares he often attracts.

While he has come to terms with his distinctive appearance - marked by sparse hair and widely spaced, pointed teeth - these features are not his greatest concern.

What troubles him most is the relentless heat he must endure every day.

"HED prevents my body from producing sweat, which exposes me to the risk of heat stroke if my body temperature exceeds the normal range. So I have to frequently wet my body and avoid staying out in the sun for too long," the 35-year-old man told Bernama recently.

HED is a genetic disorder that affects the development...