In hot conditions, the body normally releases sweat to regulate its temperature. But clammy skin is a condition that occurs when people sweat for no reason. Sweating when you are nervous is quite natural. But sweating excessively for no apparent reason might be a sign of an underlying health issue. In such a situation, you must consult a physician for a proper diagnosis. In this article, we discuss this skin condition, including its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options. Keep reading. You might wonder why someone may sweat so much for no reason. In the next section, we will look at the possible causes of clammy skin.
Medical Conditions That Cause Clammy Skin
Skin that gets clammy suddenly or regularly for no specific reason could indicate a medical condition. These include:
1. Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that occurs even when the body does not require cooling. Only one or two body regions sweat while the other parts remain dry.
2. Low Blood Sugar
Sweating, chilly skin, and rashes along the hairline on the back of the neck are some symptoms of low blood sugar. Other symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, nausea, shakiness, uneasiness, and blurred vision.
3. Heart Attack
Skin that gets clammy suddenly may signify a heart attack. A blood clot that stops one of your coronary arteries can cause a heart attack. Coronary arteries supply your heart muscle with blood and oxygen. Your heart muscle cells can collapse if your heart doesn’t get enough blood or oxygen.
4. High Blood Pressure
Temporary situations like stress reactions, anxiety, or panic attacks can cause blood pressure to rise. Fatigue, sweating, and flushed skin are all symptoms of hormonal shifts, but they can also arise from various other disorders.
5. Internal Bleeding
Clammy skin can also be one of the symptoms associated with internal bleeding. Internal bleeding is more difficult to detect and diagnose. It is frequently caused by injury or trauma. Less evident sources can also cause internal bleeding. Gastritis, organ injury, or bleeding conditions are examples. These could be life-threatening ailments and warrant immediate medical help.
6. Shock
Clammy skin is one of the common symptoms of shock. Shock occurs when you don’t have enough blood circulating in your body. It is your body’s response to a sudden drop in blood pressure. It can be a deadly condition if not treated immediately.
Other medical conditions
Menopause Hypotension Heat exhaustion Overactive thyroid gland
It is evident that clammy skin may also indicate a serious underlying condition. Therefore, one has to be aware of its symptoms.
Symptoms Of Clammy Skin
Common Symptoms
Extreme sweating Dizziness Mood swings Irregular or absent periods Confusion Panic or fear Fatigue Itching Headache Weakness Pale skin Decreased urine output
Serious Symptoms
Signs of a heart attack Shortness of breath Weak pulse Vomiting Chest pain or pressure Skin rash Swelling Discoloration of lips, fingernails, and mucous membranes Loss of consciousness Signs of shock
Treating the underlying behavioral and medical conditions that cause clammy skin may help reduce its symptoms. The following tips and home remedies may help.
Home Remedies To Help Reduce Clammy Skin Symptoms
The following suggestions may help you manage and reduce the symptoms of clammy skin.
Exercise daily. Practice yoga and meditation. Keep your skin clean and dry. Eat healthy food. Manage blood sugars levels. Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothes. Wear sandals whenever possible. Change socks daily. Avoid high temperatures that result in heat exhaustion. Stay hydrated. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Talk to a healthcare provider about any changes in your sweating patterns.
Finding and treating the underlying issue is the most effective strategy to reduce clammy skin. In the following section, we discuss a few important treatment options for conditions that may cause clammy skin.
Treatment Options For Conditions That Cause Clammy Skin
- Hyperhidrosis: Topical medications like aluminum chloride, iontophoresis, and botulinum toxin injections can help treat hyperhidrosis. In addition, systemic medications like glycopyrrolate, clonidine, and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery may also help (1).
- Hypoglycemia: Severe hypoglycemia can be treated with intravenous (IV) dextrose followed by infusion of glucose. Readily absorbable carbohydrate sources like fruit juices should be given to responsive patients. A 1 mg intramuscular (IM) glucagon injection can be administered for patients unable to take oral agents. Once the patient is awake, a complex carbohydrate food source should be given to achieve sustained euglycemia (2).
- Menopause: Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is the most efficient treatment for acute climacteric syndrome symptoms. It effectively prevents long-term estrogen deficiency. Vaginal administration of low doses of estrogen is a therapy of choice for the treatment of urogenital atrophy. Treatment may include estrogen or tibolone. Nonhormonal therapy relies on phytoestrogens, black cohosh extract, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (3). Talk to your gynecologist if you are less than 45 years old and have problematic menopause symptoms.
- Heart Problem: A heart attack necessitates immediate medical assistance. Call 911 or head to the emergency room in a life-threatening situation.
- Heat Exhaustion: A person should discontinue physical activity if they experience heat exhaustion. Drinking fluids is recommended. Finding a cool, shady spot can be beneficial.
- Anxiety Disorder: Hydrate and relax for a while if you are having an anxiety attack. Treatment is a must for anxiety disorder. It should be treated with psychological therapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one such psychological therapy, and drugs include serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants, buspirone, moclobemide, and others are also used. After remission, medications should be continued for 6 to 12 months (4).
- High Blood Pressure: Hypertensive patients must go for non-pharmacologic therapies. Lifestyle changes can reduce other disease risks and potentially eliminate the need for medication. However, they can go for pharmaceutical therapies when lifestyle changes show no effect. First-line medications include diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) (5).
- Shock: If a person is in shock, lie him/her down on the back and raise their legs 30 centimeters high. Call your local emergency number or take the person to the hospital immediately. The initial approach is to stabilize the airways and ensure breathing with oxygen or oral mechanical ventilation if needed. Peripheral IV or intraosseous infusion (IO) access should be obtained. Depending on the situation, central venous access may also be required. Immediate treatment with intravenous (IV) fluid should be initiated. Vasopressor therapy may be used to maintain tissue perfusion. Depending on the underlying etiology of shock, specific therapies might also be needed (6). In rare situations, clammy skin may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition and can warrant a visit to the doctor. But when can this occur?
When To See A Doctor
If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms along with clammy skin, seek medical help right away:
Symptoms of a heart attack Shallow breathing Weak pulse Vomiting Chest pain or pressure Skin rash Swelling Discoloration of lips, fingernails, and mucous membranes Loss of consciousness Signs of shock
Word Of Caution: Consult a doctor immediately if you are not sure why you are sweating. Can dehydration cause clammy skin? Yes, dehydration may cause the skin to become cool and clammy. But, if it is paired with another medical issue, like a fever, and left untreated, then the skin loses its clamminess and becomes hot and dry. Does clammy skin mean fever is breaking? Yes, if you have a fever and your skin becomes clammy due to sweating, then it might be a sign that your fever is breaking. Does anxiety cause clammy skin? Yes, in some cases, anxiety may cause panic attacks or excessive sweating, which leads to clammy skin. Can GERD cause clammy skin? Night sweats are a common symptom of GERD, which may cause clammy skin.
