Cold sweat or cold sweating is a symptom in which the patient sweats and at the same time has cold skin. This sweating is not for ordinary thermoregulation in high temperatures or during exercise, but is the result of an underlying medical condition.
What is cold sweat?
In cold sweat, the sweat itself is not cold, but the skin is. For this reason, the sweat is perceived as cold. Cold sweat is a signal that the body is under increased stress. The outbreak of sweat usually happens suddenly and overcomes the patient like a wave. However, the patient does not feel warm, but suffers from severe chills. The cold sweat itself is not a disease, but only a symptom. The outbreak may occur once or recur repeatedly. In addition, the cold sweat can occur in different regions of the body. Mostly, however, the entire body is affected. Ultimately, cold sweat is always only symptomatic of an underlying disease and a warning signal from the body. Cold sweat can also give off a different, distinct odor. In addition, cold sweat can affect both men and women and can occur in children and adults alike.
Causes
The causes can be many and varied. In most cases, it actually masks a more serious condition. For one thing, cold sweat is a shock reaction. The body reacts in an extreme stress situation – whether physical or mental – with an outbreak of cold sweat. The human body also reacts with cold sweat during a circulatory collapse. Likewise, hypoglycemia, also called hypoglycemia, may be present. In this case, there are often additional symptoms such as palpitations, clouding of consciousness or dizziness. The body also produces increased sweat in the event of a severe lack of oxygen, with a simultaneous sensation of cold. Another typical trigger for cold sweating is pulmonary edema or water lung. In this case, increased fluid collects in the lungs, both in the tissue and in the vesicles. This condition is often accompanied by cardiac insufficiency. The weaker pumping action of the heart causes blood to back up and pressure to rise, which in turn pushes more fluid into the tissues. This can also occur as a result of a heart attack, palpitations or inflammation of the heart muscle. High blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or alcohol dependence are also a danger to the heart and can trigger this chain reaction of the body. In addition, pulmonary edema can also result from an allergic reaction or infectious diseases. Cold sweats can also occur in young children. This is especially dangerous for the child. This can be caused by so-called pseudocroup. Pseudocroup is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and is accompanied by a dry, barking cough. Cold sweats can also be a symptom of a mental illness. Fear and stress are also triggers. The body switches to escape mode and cools the body down as a precaution. As blood pressure drops, the skin is cold. Exam nerves or stage fright can also be such a psychological strain that cold sweat breaks out. Other causes of cold sweat can also be viral diseases and infections, such as the flu. However, seasickness, AIDS and tuberculosis can also cause the symptoms. Menopausal women often suffer from both hot flashes and cold sweats. Less common is a condition called sickle cell anemia or immune dysfunction.
Diseases with this symptom
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic attacks
- Heart attack
- Circulatory collapse
- Pulmonary edema
- Myocarditis
- Hypertension
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol addiction
- Fear of heights
- Claustrophobia
- Hypoglycemia
- Fear of flying
- Allergies
- Pseudocroup
- Exam anxiety
- Flu
- Menopause
Complications
Depending on the underlying condition of cold sweat, complications can be severe. The cold sweat itself does not pose any danger to the body. On the contrary, it helps the body regulate its temperature. However, it is also an alarm sign.Both hypoglycemia and myocardial infarction or pulmonary edema are serious and life-threatening conditions that require immediate action and treatment. The accompanying symptoms that often occur in connection with cold sweat are also a danger to the patient. These include, for example, chest pain, dizziness, clouding of consciousness, palpitations or nausea. But also shortness of breath, chills and fever are typical companions of cold sweat.
When should you go to the doctor?
If cold sweat occurs as a result of an acute stressful situation such as exam anxiety or stage fright, there is generally no need to seek medical help. The symptoms usually disappear when the situation has passed. Relaxation exercises or homeopathic remedies such as valerian can provide relief. If the stress is severe, it is advisable to avoid the situation if possible or to seek therapeutic help. The situation is different in the case of an underlying illness or shock. Since life may be threatened here, a doctor must be consulted immediately. Both a heart attack and pulmonary edema can be fatal. But anaphylactic shock or severe hypoglycemia can also trigger a coma and have a fatal outcome. Pseudocroup in children can also lead to respiratory distress should therefore be treated as soon as possible. Menopausal women can seek valuable advice from their gynecologist or take tolerated medications to relieve their symptoms.
Diagnosis
Cold sweat itself can be seen with the naked eye. It can also be felt or smelled. A moist film forms on the skin. However, the skin underneath remains cool. Often, the patient’s clothing is also soaked. It may disappear immediately, or remain visible for some time. In addition, the patient often suffers from low blood pressure or palpitations. Simultaneous dizziness may also occur, as well as nausea or pain in the chest or abdomen. The diagnosis is made accordingly after taking a history of the vital functions and clarifying the accompanying symptoms. In this context, cold sweat itself can be diagnosed very well, since the patient can also clearly describe the symptomatology and there are usually typical causes and clinical pictures.
Treatment and therapy
To treat the symptomatology of cold sweat, it is necessary to treat the causative disease. In the case of a stress-related cold sweat outbreak, the stressful situation must be resolved. If circulatory problems are the cause, it usually helps to drink something or take something containing sugar, sit down and put your legs up so that the circulation can stabilize. A warm blanket and a warm environment help against freezing. Sweat can first be washed off with a damp or dry cloth and later removed in the shower. For all other conditions such as lugenedema, cardiac insufficiency, or hypoglycemia and shock, treatment must be targeted to that condition. Here, medication can be the solution as well as surgery if necessary. In menopause, the hormone balance is no longer in equilibrium, resulting in numerous symptoms. Here, the gynecologist can recommend appropriate preparations to alleviate the symptoms. Once the disease is cured, the symptoms of cold sweat also disappear. Some diseases, such as AIDS, are not yet curable. In this respect, the symptomatology will also not disappear.
Outlook and prognosis
If the cause of cold sweat is found and eliminated, then cold sweating will also disappear completely. The patient does not have to fear that the symptomatology will persist if recovery has otherwise been obtained. Thus, one can speak of a complete healing prognosis. If the clinical picture worsens or the disease cannot be cured, the symptomatology will also be able to recur. Particularly in diabetes patients, hypoglycemia can occur again and again and thus trigger the cold sweat. Likewise, stressful situations in life cannot be avoided. Those who react here with cold sweat will not be able to avoid this symptomatology without avoiding the stressful situation itself.
Prevention
Prevention in cold sweat is difficult.Since cold sweat is a natural reaction of the body, it will not be possible to avoid it as a reaction to certain triggers. What can be done is to address the causes. Diabetics should take care not to fall into hypoglycemia by checking your insulin levels regularly. Efforts should be made to avoid subjecting the body to unnecessary stress. If it cannot be avoided, sufficient compensation should be provided or, in extreme cases, something should be taken to calm down. A discussion with a psychologist or therapist can help here. If necessary, it may be necessary to resort to taking psychotropic drugs. Special attention must be paid to a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent damage to the heart. Regular exercise is mandatory to strengthen the cardiovascular system. In the event of recurring circulatory problems, plenty of water should be drunk and the circulation kept going. Exercise in the fresh air is particularly helpful here. Alternating showers also boost circulation, as do spicy foods and caffeinated drinks. Rosemary and ginseng also help as therapeutic natural remedies.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Basically, it is not in the patient’s power whether the body reacts to a situation or illness with cold sweat. However, care can be taken to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If a cold sweat nevertheless occurs, the most important thing is to remain calm. The best thing to do is to drink something and eat something nutritious in case of circulatory problems or diabetes. In this way, immediate action can be taken when the body calls for help and the circulation collapses. Sitting down and putting your legs up helps best as an immediate measure. In addition, a warm environment is naturally expedient. People standing around can be asked for help. Cold sweat should be removed as best as possible to counteract further cooling of the body in a damp state in the air. The causes – if unknown – should be clarified by a doctor. If the condition is over, then a hot bath and a change of clothes will help.
