MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Skin

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Skin - clammy

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Considerations Causes	Home Care When to Contact a Medical Professional What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Alternative Names

Sweat - cold; Clammy skin; Cold sweat

Definition Return to top

Clammy skin is cool, moist, and usually pale.

Considerations Return to top

Clammy skin may be an emergency. Call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Causes Return to top

Anxiety attack
Heart attack
Heat exhaustion
Severe pain
Shock

Home Care Return to top

For shock, the patient should lie down on the back with legs elevated about 12 inches. Either call for emergency help or take the person to a hospital. For heat exhaustion, have the person drink plenty of fluids and move to a cool, shaded environment.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

People with any of the following symptoms should immediately seek emergency help:

Chest discomfort
Shortness of breath
Signs of shock (such as confusion, lower level of consciousness, or weak pulse)

If you are unable to reach your doctor, call for emergency help or take the person to a hospital.

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 Return to top

The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the person's medical history.

Questions documenting clammy skin in detail may include:

Time pattern
- How quickly did this develop?
- Did it develop suddenly?
- Has it ever happened before?
Medical history
- Has there been an injury?
- Is the person ill?
- Are they in pain?
- Do they seem anxious or stressed?
- Has there been a recent exposure to high temperatures?
- What other symptoms are also present?

Update Date: 2/19/2008

Updated by: John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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