When the skin becomes cold and has a pale appearance and abnormal dampness, it is referred to as clammy moist skin. In most cases, the causes are severe, thus, requiring quick therapeutic intervention for prompt results.
While examining the general health of a family member, we tend to touch the forehead to check whether the body temperature is normal or not. The expected responses are many, like normal, low, or high feverish temperature or at times clammy skin. Now, the following passages provide comprehensive information on the last symptom of clammy skin.
What is Clammy Moist Skin?
It refers to pale looking, moist, and cool skin. Several factors can cause such abnormal skin symptoms. Therefore, to avoid health complications, immediate medical help is imperative for those experiencing cold sweat.
In hot climatic conditions, excessive sweating leaves the skin damp to a certain extent. These conditions are quite normal and considered a part of the body's thermoregulation mechanism. However, if the skin is cool and wet, without being exposed to heat, then it is an indication of some other medical problem.
What are the Causes?
A common cause behind clammy hands and feet is exposure to wetness or extremely cold environmental conditions. For instance, cool skin is one of the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite.
While these are moderately severe problems that can be combated with prompt self-care tips, there are some grave indicants that should be addressed therapeutically. For example, cold skin accompanied by sweating, which manifests as skin dampness, cannot be neglected. Some of the more serious causes of this skin condition have been listed below:
Pneumonia
Influenza (flu)
Other infectious diseases
Severe pain
Severe allergy (anaphylaxis)
Hypoglycemia
Low oxygen level in blood
Heat exhaustion
Acute anxiety attack
Cardiac arrhythmia
Heart attack
Internal bleeding
Shock
The above listed causes are serious medical problems and should be treated as soon as possible. Upon being stressed, the sympathetic nervous system sends signals to increase the stress hormones: epinephrine and norepinephrine.
As a consequence, vasoconstriction occurs in the dermal layer and cold sweat is secreted in certain areas of the body, especially on the forehead, palms, and soles of the feet. This is the reason behind the secretion of cold sweat under stressful situations.
How to Deal with It?
Depending on the underlying disease, clammy skin may be accompanied by other medical symptoms, such as shivering, chills, high body temperature, and loss of concentration.
➜ If the manifested symptoms include breathing problems, pain in the chest area, and other shock indicants, getting hospitalized is necessary.
➜ Once in the health care center, the doctor will examine the physical symptoms and determine the medical history of the patient. Based on the findings, correct treatment options will be recommended to restore normal health.
➜ The therapeutic approaches vary according to the underlying problem. For example, if hypoglycemia is the root cause, then the treatment would involve increasing the sugar levels, whereas a patient with heat exhaustion would be asked to increase the intake of healthy fluids and maintain the indoor temperature within a comfortable range.
➜ In case of heart patients, treatment focuses on restoring the normal heart condition. Likewise, for people diagnosed with anxiety shock, prescription drugs along with behavioral therapy are suggested to overcome anxiety.
In a nutshell, clammy skin is not always a case of medical emergency. But, now you must have understood that if the skin becomes abnormally wet, for no particular reason, then it can be a subject of medical concern.
In such a scenario, negligence can lead to dire consequences. So, timely diagnosis and correct treatment are crucial to minimize the risk factors associated with cold and wet skin.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.