Skin - clammy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Skin - clammy

Alternative Names:

Sweat - cold; Clammy skin; Cold sweat

Home Care:

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:

People with any of the following symptoms should immediately call their doctor or seek emergency help.

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

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

Always contact your doctor if the symptoms do not go away quickly.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

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?

Review Date: 3/21/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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