Have you ever noticed your skin is sweaty or wet? Does happen without any apparent reason? If yes, you might just have clammy skin.
Clammy skin is a skin condition whereby the skin gets wet or sweaty and turns cooler, most times for no reason.
The body normally releases sweat to regulate its temperature in hot weather, but you might also sweat for just no reason, like on clammy skin.
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What is Clammy Skin?
Clammy skin is simply skin that is sweaty or wet. The body normally responds to overheating by sweating and the sweat on the skin has this cooling effect on the skin.
Body changes from physical activities or very hot weather conditions can trigger the sweat glands and can make the skin wet or sweaty.
When an individual is nervous, it can trigger sweating and that is very natural, but when an individual sweats for no reason, it could indicate an underlying health problem. If you have such concerns, you should contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Symptoms That Might Accompany Clammy Skin
Though some people might experience clammy skin without associated symptoms, other people witness most of the symptoms listed below.
- Sweating profusely
- Dizziness
- Decreased urine output
- Pale skin
- Tiredness
- Panics
- Irregular periods or absent periods
- Itching
- Weakness
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Weak pulse
- Rashes on the skin
- Swelling
- Showing signs of shock
- Loss of consciousness
- Lips, fingernails, mucous membrane discoloration.
- Shortness of breath
- Pain on the chest or pressure
- Vomiting
Causes of Clammy Skin
A skin that suddenly gets sweaty or wet for no obvious reason could be an indication of an underlying medical condition. The under-listed points could be one of the possible health conditions:
● Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a condition whereby excessive sweating occurs when the body does not require cooling. In this condition, one or two body parts become wet or sweaty while other body parts remain dry.
● Heart Attack
A heart attack could be one of the reasons for clammy skin. A heart attack could be caused by a blood clot that stops blood flow in one of the coronary arteries, among other things like obesity and atherosclerosis.
Heart muscles are supplied with blood and oxygen through the coronary arteries. Without a good supply of blood and oxygen, the muscle cells could collapse, which could be another cause of heart attack.
● Hyperthyroidism
When the thyroid gland is overproducing thyroid hormones, that condition is known as hyperthyroidism. The over secretion of the thyroid hormones can trigger excessive sweating.
An autoimmune disorder known as Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. This disorder attacks the thyroid gland with antibodies, thereby leading to the excessive release of the hormone.
The quality of life of an individual suffering from hyperthyroidism can be greatly affected. The skin in the affected area can peel off or even turn white and soft. Hyperthyroidism in childhood and adolescence can be diagnosed by doctors.
● Hot Flashes
During perimenopause and menopause, some women experience sweating. This usually occurs during a hot flash or at night. Estrogen which are hormones that play important roles in the normal sexual and reproductive development in women and other hormones fluctuate thereby leading to hot flashes and night sweats.
● Fever
Infections or illnesses can cause a fever. A fever occurs when a person’s temperature rises to or above100.4°F (38°C). Sweating is always associated with fevers. Fever is part one of the many responses of the body’s immune system it isn’t necessarily a problem, but should be removed quickly.
- Infection
Clammy skin can result from infections that cause a fever. This includes common and mild diseases, such as upper respiratory diseases or colds, but a more serious disease may include pneumonia, appendicitis, or a kidney infection.
The body responds by increasing our body temperature to kill the virus or bacteria. The individual might experience chills because the surrounding environment air will likely be cold. This can lead the muscles to contract thereby causing you to shiver and this, in turn, causes body heat.
Treatment Methods For Clammy Skin
The treatment of clammy skin largely depends on the underlying health issue.
Medical Treatment Methods
- Hyperhidrosis can be treated by using topical medications like aluminum chloride, iontophoresis, and both aluminum toxin injections.
- Intravenous (IV) dextrose followed by an infusion of glucose can help in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Fruit juices should be given to responsive patients because it is readily absorbable.
- Menopause Hormone Therapy(MHT) prevents long-term estrogen deficiency effectively and it is the most efficient treatment for acute climactic syndrome symptoms.
- In heat exhaustion, physical exercise should be discontinued. Staying hydrated is recommended, and finding a cool spot is important.
- Lifestyle changes in hypertensive patients can reduce other disease risks and can eliminate the need for medications.
Home Remedies
Home care largely depends on what is causing the skin to be wet or sweaty.
Natural Vinegar: It might be bitter when swallowing, but then it is a good remedy for clammy skin. Taking two tablespoons of natural vinegar and one teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar thrice a day on an empty stomach between half or an hour before or after a meal can help with clammy skin.
Tomato Juice: This might sound odd but this helps with getting rid of clammy skin. Drinking a homemade glass of tomato juice will help with clammy skin.
Herbal Tea: Tea rich in Magnesium and Vitamin B like Sage tea helps in slowing down those overactive sweat glands. If sage tea isn’t available, you can get green tea instead, brew it, and drink it daily.
Potato: Potato helps in cutting the sweat out and it doesn’t matter how it is sliced. You can rub this sliced potato under your arms and body parts that are sweaty.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a good home remedy for clammy skin. You can dissolve a piece of camphor into some coconut oil, then dap this mixture to areas where you are sweaty.
When to See a Doctor.
You are to seek medical help when you experience any of the following signs.
Headaches
Shortness of breath
Recurrent vomiting, especially blood
Signs of confusion
Chest, abdominal, or back discomfort.
Poor thinking ability.
Skin rashes
Signs of a heart attack
Vomiting
Summary
Clammy skin is simply wet or sweaty skin, when it becomes regular it could suggest an underlying medical problem. Clammy skin symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, weaknesses, and decreased urine output. Low blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and hyperhidrosis can make the skin clammy. Healthy food intake, yoga, and meditation help in managing the symptoms of clammy skin.
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