MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Skin

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Skin - clammy

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

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 indication of an emergency situation, and the doctor should be notified immediately.

Common Causes Return to top

shock (such as hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, or septic shock)
severe pain
heart attack
anxiety attack
heat exhaustion

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 victim to a hospital. For heat exhaustion, have the person drink plenty of fluids and move to a cool, shaded environment.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or signs of shock (such as confusion, diminished consciousness, or weak pulse) are present. If you are unable to reach your provider, call for emergency help or take the victim to a hospital.
contact your doctor if the symptoms do not resolve quickly.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Note: If the person is hard to awaken, has difficulty breathing, or has a rapid, weak pulse this is an emergency!

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?
aggravating factors
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?
other
What other symptoms are also present?

Vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure) will be monitored, a cause determined, and appropriate emergency measures will be taken.

Update Date: 1/29/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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