Clammy Skin: Symptoms, Causes, Remedies, And Treatments

Does your skin often get wet and sweaty? Does it happen without an obvious cause? You may have clammy skin. In this condition, skin turns cooler and moist than normal.

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. In other words, clammy skin means the skin turns cooler and more moist than normal.

Sweating when you are nervous is quite natural. But sweating excessively for no apparent reason might be a sign of an underlying health issue. Do you experience a clammy forehead, clammy palms, or a clammy body without any stressors like heat? 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.

Fun Fact

Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Steve Carell, David Hasselhoff, and Robert Pattinson are some well-known celebrities who claim to have clammy skin.

How Serious Is Clammy Skin?

Although clammy skin may not always indicate an underlying medical concern, you should keep an eye on your sweat levels. Excessive sweating could indicate a medical problem called hyperhidrosis, which necessitates medical treatment.

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.

A recent survey conducted on 832 participants found the overall prevalence of hyperhidrosis was 17.9% (149/832), while self-reported prevalence was only 10.2% (85/832) in the dermatology outpatient department. Furthermore, out of 149 patients, 110 (73.8%) had primary hyperhidrosis and 39 (26.2%) and secondary hyperhidrosis.

Justine, a Youtuber, shares her experience with hyperhidrosis. She says, “Why I really wanted to make this video is to let other people who suffer from hyperhidrosis know that you’re not alone. I’ve had this for such a long time and I’m 30 now. I feel like I’ve really seen and taken the time to understand how hyperhidrosis has really affected my life growing up in both a positive and negative manner (i)”.

Trivia

The medical condition hyperhidrosis is also known as polyhidrosis or sudorrhea.

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.

7. Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorder activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. This reaction increases sweating and constricts blood vessels, resulting in clammy or cold skin (1).

8. Other medical conditions

• Menopause
• Hypotensionⁱ  A condition where the body has severe low blood pressure that causes fainting or dizziness due to lack of blood supply to the brain.
• 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, sticky skin.

• Exercise daily.
• Practice yoga and meditation.
• Keep your skin clean and dry.
• Eat healthy food.
• Manage blood sugar levels.
• Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothes.
• Invest in lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, or rayon, which help keep the skin dry and cool.
• 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

1. 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 (2).

2. 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 euglycemiaⁱ  The medical term for a state where the body has normal blood sugar levels to function properly without any complications. (3).

3. Menopause: Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is the most efficient treatment for acute climacteric syndromeⁱ  A condition in menopausal women caused by a decline of the ovarian hormone levels, causing poor sleep, hot flushes, and mood swings. 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 inhibitorsⁱ  A group of medical substances that treat mental health issues like depression by raising the serotonin levels in the brain. (4).

Talk to your gynecologist if you are less than 45 years old and have problematic menopause symptoms.

4. Heart Problem: A heart attack necessitates immediate medical assistance. Call 911 or head to the emergency room in a life-threatening situation.

5. 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.

6. 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 inhibitorsⁱ  A group of medical substances that treat mental health issues like depression by raising the serotonin levels in the brain. 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 (5).

7. 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) (6).

8. 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 (7

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 damp 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.

Infographic: Top 6 Underlying Causes Of Clammy Skin

Clammy skin is sometimes embarrassing, but it simply means your skin gets wet from sweat, which makes it damp, sticky, or cooler than normal. However, excessive sweating without a reason might be concerning. Wondering what causes it? Check out the infographic below to find the top 6 causes that lead to clammy, humid skin.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

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 and moist skin.

Can GERD cause clammy skin?

Night sweats are a common symptom of GERD, which may cause a clammy sensation all over your body, including clammy hands and clammy feet.

Illustration: Clammy Skin: Symptoms Causes Remedies And Treatments

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Feeling cold and clammy? Watch this video to learn more about the symptoms of clammy skin and how to treat it.

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Dr. Sonam Jeswani RamrakhianiMBBS, DDV

 

Dr. Sonam Jeswani Ramrakhiani is a renowned dermatologist with over 11 years of experience. She has a sharp eye for facial aesthetics and advocates learning newer technologies and treatment protocols for the benefit of her clients.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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