Cold sweats are episodes of sudden sweating that happen without heat or physical activity. They occur when the body’s “fight or flight” response is activated, often signaling an underlying health issue.
Cold sweats can be linked to mild conditions like stress, low blood sugar, or dehydration. However, they may also indicate emergencies such as a heart attack, sepsis, or internal bleeding.
Because cold sweats can have many different causes, recognizing other symptoms is important to determine what is happening. Understanding the possible triggers and treatments can help identify when medical care is urgently needed.
What causes cold sweats?
The most common causes of cold sweats (and how to stop this symptom) are:
1. Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is characterized by blood sugar levels that are below 70 mg/dl or 3 mmol/L. In addition to cold sweats, you may also experience headaches, fainting, blurred vision, confusion, weakness, general malaise, nausea or sleepiness.
To check your sugar levels, you can do a quick check with a glucometer (a small device that most insulin-dependent diabetics will have at home). Otherwise, you can proceed to your doctor’s office or nearest emergency room to check your levels.
How to treat: If you experience any symptoms of hypoglycemia, you should eat something that is high in sugar and easy-to-digest carbohydrates, like fruit juice or a cookie. If symptoms persist even after eating, or if you faint, you should place some sugar under your tongue and seek medical attention immediately.
2. Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can lead to decreased oxygen to the brain and organs. It can cause cold sweats, dizziness, palpitations, weakness, blurred vision, general malaise, pallor and fainting. Learn more about the common symptoms of hypotension.
How to treat: When experiencing low blood pressure, you should lie down with your legs elevated above your chest and increase your fluid intake.
Also recommended: How to Raise Blood Pressure: 4 Tips (& Prevention) tuasaude.com/en/how-to-raise-blood-pressure3. Stress and anxiety
In stressful situations or during anxiety attacks, the body reacts by producing cold sweats that are mainly felt on the forehead, hands, feet and armpits. In addition to these symptoms, you may also experience muscle tension, general malaise, nausea, vomiting, palpitations and tremors.
Learn more about anxiety symptoms and how they can present.
How to treat: There are many ways you can control your anxiety, like getting a massage or taking a warm bath or drinking chamomile tea. Learn about other natural ways you can manage your stress or anxiety. In serious cases where you are unable to cope with your anxiety on your own, you should seek psychological therapy. Prescription medications may also be considered.
4. Decreased oxygen
Decreased oxygen, or hypoxia, can lead to decreased perfusion in the organs and tissues throughout the body. This can result in cold sweats, shortness of breath, weakness, confusion, and dizziness. Severe hypoxia can lead to loss of consciousness, and coma, which can be life-threatening. You should proceed to the hospital if you have symptoms of hypoxia.
Decreased oxygen can occur with poor circulation, accidental poisoning and standing in altitudes over 3000m. It can also occur in people with chronic lung issues or anemia. Shortness of breath that persist for too long can also lead to decreased oxygen levels. Learn more about what can cause shortness of breath.
How to treat: Treatment usually consists of the use of an oxygen mask to regulate oxygen levels in the blood. The underlying cause of hypoxia should also be identified so that targeted treatment can be initiated, like nebulizers for asthma or antidotes for poisoning . Very severe cases will require artificial respiration.
5. Sepsis
Sepsis, or a systemic infection, is caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection that affects various organs in the body. It can lead to organ failure and make oxygenation difficult, resulting in cold sweats, high fever, tremors, low blood pressure or tachycardia.
How to treat: Treatment for sepsis consists of the use of antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and fluid replacement. If these interventions are not sufficient in clearing the infection, artificial respiration in the ICU may be necessary.
6. Shock
Shock, which can occur with profound trauma, injury, allergic reaction or in an accident, leads to a decrease of oxygen to the organs, resulting in decreased organ function. Common symptoms include cold sweats, pallor, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness or anxiety.
Learn more about the different types of shock and how each can present.
How to treat: People in shock may or may not be conscious. In almost all cases, immediate medical attention is recommended. You should call an ambulance or proceed to the hospital for treatment as fast as possible.
7. Drug or alcohol withdrawal
Going through withdrawal can activate the body's sympathetic nervous system, as the body tries to adjust going without the addictive substance. This can increase adrenaline levels and interfere with temperature regulation, leading to cold sweats.
Other signs of drug or alcohol withdrawal include shaking, a rapid heart rate, dizziness, and anxiety.
How to treat: It is possible to reduce cold sweats by managing the symptoms of the withdrawal and regulating the nervous system. This can be achieved with medications (like benzodiazepines or clonidine), medical detox programs, and adequate hydration.
8. Internal bleeding
Internal bleeding can lead to reduced blood volume circulating in the body. This triggers the sympathetic nervous system to try and compensate for volume losses, leading to symptoms like cold sweats, rapid heartbeat, and increased respiratory rates.
Signs of internal bleeding also include dizziness, confusion, abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or sudden bruising.
How to treat: If you suspect you may be bleeding internally, you should proceed immediately to a hospital for assessment to determine the source of bleeding. Mild bleeding may be managed with medications, minor procedures like embolizations, and surgical repairs, while more severe cases may require blood transfusions and IV fluids.
9. Heart attack
When having a heart attack, the body can produce cold sweats as a response to decreased blood flow, decreased blood pressure and oxygen going to the heart. These factors can lead to the increased production of sweat, as discussed above.
In addition, a heart attack can also trigger the nervous system, which signals sweat glands to produce excessive amounts of sweats. Other symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm or jaw, and dizziness.
How to treat: A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you suspect you may be having a heart attack, call 911 and seek urgent care. Once confirmed, your doctor may start oxygen therapy and medications (like nitrofurantoin, analgesics, and clot-busters), and consider the need for a stent or other surgical procedure to restore blood flow to the heart.
10. Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a condition in which the body overheats due to dehydration or prolonged heat exposure. In an attempt to cool back down and regulate body temperature, the body starts to produce cold sweats.
In addition to cold sweats, heat exhaustion also presents with cold or clammy skin, dizziness, a weak pulse and nausea.
How to treat: If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke. Therefore, if you notice signs of heat exhaustion, you should rest in a cool, shady place and drink plenty of fluids. If your symptoms worsen, seek medical attention immediately.