A boy kept fainting during baths. Hyderabad doctor reveals this rare disease is found in many parts of south India

In rural India, where winters are marked by foggy mornings and the warmth of steaming baths, a seemingly harmless routine turned life-altering for a young boy. What started as dizziness during hot water baths spiralled into sudden blackouts, stiffened limbs, and fainting episodes that baffled his family. It wasn’t until years later that a diagnosis finally put their fears to rest, revealing a rare condition that few know even exists: Hot Water Epilepsy.

Twelve-year-old Sai Teja (name changed), a bright and cheerful student from a small town in Andhra Pradesh, had spent three winters haunted by mysterious spells that followed his morning bath. A lover of cricket and top of his class, Sai’s vibrant personality stood in sharp contrast to the strange episodes that unfolded only when hot water touched his head.

Initially brushed off as fainting spells or cold-weather reactions, his condition grew more concerning when he collapsed in the bathroom, injuring himself. Local doctors provided vague explanations, suggesting cooler baths or dismissing the incidents altogether. But it wasn’t until his worried parents took him to a neurologist in Hyderabad that things began to make sense.


Dr. Sudhir Kumar, who treated the case and later shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter), conducted a thorough examination. While the MRI scan came back normal, the EEG revealed abnormal brain activity. The answer was clear: Sai was suffering from Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE), a rare form of reflex epilepsy primarily seen in young boys from South India, especially Andhra Pradesh.


Unlike typical epilepsy, HWE is triggered not by random brain activity but by a very specific stimulus—hot water poured over the head. Once diagnosed, the condition is manageable. Sai was prescribed anti-seizure medication, and his family was advised on practical changes: use lukewarm water for baths, avoid pouring hot water on the head, and steer clear of steam-heavy environments.

With these changes in place, Sai has remained seizure-free for over two years. His confidence has returned, and he’s back to thriving now, prepping for a school quiz championship and living life to the fullest.