Every summer, Alberto Gómez lives with a fear most people never consider. The 36-year-old Spanish physics and chemistry teacher has a rare genetic skin disorder that leaves him unable to sweat properly -- and therefore unable to cool himself naturally during extreme heat.
"If you're having a hard time, imagine what it means for me. My fear is suffering a heatstroke and not being able to recover from it," he told AFP at a gym near his home in Arroyomolinos near Madrid.
As Spain's increasingly intense summers bring more frequent and prolonged periods of extreme heat, Gómez is among a small number of people living with the condition.
For them, a day that is merely uncomfortable for most people can quickly become life-threatening, forcing them to constantly monitor their bodies and avoid situations that could trigger dangerous overheating.
"When summer comes, we have a series of warning signs telling us something could happen if we don't start regulating our temperature," Gómez said.
