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Skin - clammy
Sweat - cold; Clammy skin; Cold sweat
Clammy skin is cool, moist, and usually pale .
Pale
Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.
Considerations
Clammy skin may be an emergency. Call your doctor or your local emergency number, such as 911.
Causes
Causes of clammy skin include:
-
Anxiety
attack
Anxiety
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...
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Heart attack
Heart attack
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...
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Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion
Heat emergencies or illnesses are caused by exposure to extreme heat and sun. Heat illnesses can be prevented by being careful in hot, humid weather...
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- Low blood oxygen levels
- Sepsis (body-wide infection)
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Severe pain
-
Shock
(low blood pressure)
Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means that the cells and organs...
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Home Care
Home care depends on what is causing the clammy skin. Call for medical help if you are not sure.
If you think the person is in shock, lie him or her down on the back and raise the legs about 12 inches (30 centimeters). Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or take the person to the hospital.
If the clammy skin may be due to heat exhaustion and the person is awake and can swallow:
- Have the person drink plenty of fluids
- Move the person to a cool, shaded place
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Seek immediate medical help if the person has any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Altered medical status or thinking ability
- Chest, abdominal, or back pain or discomfort
- Headache
- Passage of blood in the stool: black stool, bright red or maroon blood
- Recurrent or persistent vomiting, especially of blood
- Possible drug abuse
- Shortness of breath
- Signs of shock (such as confusion, lower level of alertness, or weak pulse)
Always contact your doctor or go to the emergency department if the symptoms do not go away quickly.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the symptoms and the person's medical history, including:
- How quickly did the clammy skin develop?
- Has it ever happened before?
- Has the person been injured?
- Is the person in pain?
- Does the person seem anxious or stressed?
- Has the person recently been exposed to high temperatures?
- What other symptoms are present?
References
Jones AE, Kline JA. Shock. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 6.
Review Date: 1/26/2015
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
