Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCold vs Normal or Night SweatsFight-or-FlightShockInfectionSyncopeSevere PainHeart AttacksShortness of BreathDrug WithdrawalLow Blood GlucoseCancer
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cold vs Normal or Night Sweats
Fight-or-Flight
Shock
Infection
Syncope
Severe Pain
Heart Attacks
Shortness of Breath
Drug Withdrawal
Low Blood Glucose
Cancer
Cold sweats (diaphoresis) are sudden sweating episodes that don’t come from heat or exertion. Instead of feeling too hot, cold sweats make you feel flushed and chilly all over. Your palms may become moist and clammy as well.
Cold sweats have several potential causes and can be associated with shock, fear, and infections among other things. In some cases, cold sweats can be a symptom of a life-threatening medical problem.
Cold sweats are a common symptom of:
This article looks at 10 causes of cold sweats, how to treat them, and when they may be signs of an emergency.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Cold Sweats vs Normal Sweating vs Night Sweats
Cold sweats are unrelated to these causes. Sometimes causes of diaphoresis are emergencies, like septic shock or a heart attack. However, cold sweats may also be related to less serious issues and may not be a cause for concern.
Cold sweats on their own aren’t a problem and aren’t treated directly. Instead, healthcare providers target the cause of cold sweats, such as treating an infection or providing pain management.
Paying attention to other simultaneous symptoms can help you determine what steps you need to take to protect your health.
Cold Sweats: When to WorrySymptoms that accompany cold sweats and may indicate a medical emergency include:Chest pain or pressurePain that radiates to the neck or armCyanosis (blue lips or fingers)Sudden rapid heartbeat or other heart rhythm changesWeak pulseRapid breathing, labored breathing, or shortness of breathWheezing or coughingNo response to asthma medicationsPale skinWeaknessDizzinessHigh or very low temperature with chillsCool, pale limbsLack of urineConfusion or lethargySkin rashNew injurySevere pain of unknown causeShakingAnxiety or irritabilityCall 911 if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
Cold Sweats: When to Worry
Symptoms that accompany cold sweats and may indicate a medical emergency include:Chest pain or pressurePain that radiates to the neck or armCyanosis (blue lips or fingers)Sudden rapid heartbeat or other heart rhythm changesWeak pulseRapid breathing, labored breathing, or shortness of breathWheezing or coughingNo response to asthma medicationsPale skinWeaknessDizzinessHigh or very low temperature with chillsCool, pale limbsLack of urineConfusion or lethargySkin rashNew injurySevere pain of unknown causeShakingAnxiety or irritabilityCall 911 if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
Symptoms that accompany cold sweats and may indicate a medical emergency include:
Call 911 if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
Cold Sweats From Fight-or-Flight Response
Anything that causes afight-or-flight responsecan cause cold sweats. This includes fear,phobias, andanxiety.
The fight-or-flight response is triggered when you encounter a situation your body sees as a threat. It allows you to either defend yourself or get away.
This is probably the most common cause of diaphoresis.
Symptoms
When fight-or-flight kicks in, your body releases the stress hormonesadrenalineandcortisolinto your blood. The excess adrenaline in your system activates the sweat glands, causing cold sweats.
Other symptoms of the fight-or-flight response include:
Causes
People can go into fight-or-flight mode due to a physical threat (such as encountering a vicious dog) or severe stress (such as receiving bad news). Being forced to face something you have aphobiaof (such as a fear of heights) can also trigger a fight-or-flight response.
What to Do: Give It Time
Once the cause of the fight-or-flight response is over, your body should return to normal after between 20 and 60 minutes.It may help to try calming your body through deep breathing or other relaxation methods.
10 Ways to Stop a Panic Attack
Cold Sweats from Shock
Your body goes intoshockwhen blood flow to the brain and other vital organs becomes dangerously low. That means the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. Shock causes increasing body-wide stress.
Diaphoresis is a key symptom of this potentially life-threatening condition. Other symptoms include:
These causes change the way your body handles blood flow. For example, infection and severe allergies affect the blood vessels in a way that significantly lowersblood pressure.
What to Do: Call 911
Shock is serious enough to warrant immediate medical attention. Call 911 for help if you suspect you or someone else is in shock.
Until help arrives, lie flat on your back with your feet propped on something about 8 to 12 inches high. That helps preserve blood flow to the brain and vital organs.
Signs and Symptoms of Shock
Cold Sweats From Infection
Theflu,COVID-19, and any other infection that causes a fever can lead to cold sweats. Sometimes they occur as a fever “breaks” or starts to go back down.
If an infection progresses and enters the bloodstream, the body may go into septic shock.
Common symptoms of infection include:
Symptoms of septic shock may be:
Medical conditions that can lead to septic shock include:
Septic shock is most common in the very old, the very young, and people with a compromised immune system.
What to Do: Call 911 or Go to an Emergency Room
Septic shock is always a medical emergency. It often requires time in an intensive care unit. If you suspect septic shock, call 911 or get to an emergency room right away.
For an infection that causes cold sweats but not septic shock, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider soon or go to an urgent care facility. Be sure to stay hydrated, especially if you’re sweating heavily and/or have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Diaphoresis vs Hyperhidrosis
Cold Sweats From Syncope
Cold sweats may be a symptom of syncope, often calledfaintingor passing out.
When you have syncope, you briefly lose consciousness. This typically makes you fall to the ground (or slump, if you’re sitting).
Before you pass out, you may have symptoms of pre-syncope (the feeling you’re about to faint). These can include:
With syncope, you may also experience:
Those changes in heart function and blood flow may be the result of:
What to Do: Get Medical Attention
If you’ve had syncope or pre-syncope for an unknown reason or due to trauma or a medical event, get medical attention right away.
Fainting can lead to serious injuries. Get medical help for someone who gets hurt during an episode of syncope.
If the reason for syncope is known and not serious (such as an emotional shock), lying on the back with the feet elevated can help.
You should always let your healthcare provider know if you’ve had syncope or pre-syncope.
Cold Sweats From Severe Pain
Severe pain from an injury, like afractureor non-surgicalamputation(losing a body part), can lead to cold sweats. Some medical causes of severe pain, such askidney stones, can also cause diaphoresis.
The only consistent symptoms in this case are severe pain and cold sweats. Other symptoms will vary depending on what’s causing the pain.
In rare cases, severe pain can occur long after a head injury or spinal cord trauma. This is a symptom ofcomplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and diaphoresis is a common feature.
Other symptoms of CRPS include:
The cause of cold sweats in severe pain is similar to that of shock.
What to Do: Call 911 or Make an Appointment
For a new serious injury or undiagnosed medical cause of severe pain, call 911. Once the severe pain is treated, cold sweats and other symptoms should diminish.
If you suspect you may have CRPS, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
How Chronic Nerve Pain Causes Skin Changes
Cold Sweats From Heart Attacks
Cold sweats are a common sign of aheart attack(myocardial infarction).
Aside from diaphoresis, symptoms of a heart attack may include:
In a heart attack, blood flow to your heart muscle is interrupted. This triggers a stress response that leads to cold sweats.
A heart attack is a true emergency. Call 911 immediately. The faster that you act, the better your chances of limiting damage and having a better outcome.
Taking a chewable aspirin while waiting for the ambulance may help prevent heart damage.
Why to Take Aspirin During a Heart Attack
Cold Sweats From Shortness of Breath
Severeshortness of breathcan lead to diaphoresis, among other symptoms.
Other signs of shortness of breath may include:
When you’re short of breath, it causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. When your brain begins to crave oxygen, it sends your body into a stress response, similar to fight-or-flight or shock.
What to Do: Call 911 or Treat Your Shortness of Breath
Any time you have trouble breathing, it’s a serious situation. Call 911 if:
If you have shortness of breath due to a known condition, such asasthmaorchronic obstructive pulmonary disorder(COPD), follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. If your usual treatments don’t work, call 911.
Causes and Treatments of Shortness of Breath
Cold Sweats From Drug Withdrawal
Withdrawing from excessive use of drugs or alcohol can cause cold sweats, among a host of other symptoms. In severe cases, people may need to be carefully monitored for life-threatening complications.
Other symptoms of withdrawal from drugs and alcohol include:
Being dependent on a drug causes changes in chemical messengers in the brain, calledneurotransmitters. When the substance is stopped, brain chemistry eventually returns to normal once withdrawal is over. During withdrawal, this process causes an overall imbalance in the body, causing cold sweats among other symptoms.
What to Do: Seek Medical Care and Counseling
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in most cases, the symptoms associated with drug withdrawal are effectively treated with medications (such as lofexidine and methadone) that reduce or eliminate the discomfort.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Cold Sweats From Low Blood Glucose
Hypoglycemia(low blood glucose/sugar) is a fairly common reason for cold sweats. It’s seen most often in people with diabetes orprediabetes.
Other common symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
Glucose is the brain’s preferred source of energy, so it responds to low blood sugar as a serious threat. As with a lack of oxygen, this triggers a stress response that leads to diaphoresis.
If someone with diabetes seems confused or has other symptoms of hypoglycemia, call 911 and get them something sugary to eat or drink.
If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia but aren’t diagnosed with a condition that can cause it, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
What Is Hypoglycemia?
Cold Sweats From Cancer
Many types of cancer can cause cold sweats, especially at night. They include:
Early cancer symptoms can vary greatly depending on the type, location, and stage of the tumor(s). Some common early symptoms may include:
In some cases, cancerous tumors trigger changes in the body that lead to diaphoresis.
Some cancer treatments—includingchemotherapy,radiation, hormone treatments, and some other medications—can also cause excessive sweating. So can morphine, which is sometimes used to treatcancer pain.
Common problems associated with cancer that can cause cold sweats include:
What to Do: Make an Appointment
While cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, it’s not something you generally need emergency treatment for—especially if you’re just noticing what could be early symptoms.
If you’re having concerning symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Explain your symptoms and concerns and stress that you need to be seen soon. Early diagnosis can make for a better outcome.
Similar to menopause, hormonal changes frombreast cancerorbreast cancer treatmentmay cause hot flashes and heavy sweating. Why sex hormone changes have this effect isn’t yet understood.
Summary
Mechanisms that cause diaphoresis include loss of blood, low blood pressure, and adrenaline directly stimulating the sweat glands.
Emergency causes warrant a call to 911. For others, you may want to see your healthcare provider. Some causes, such as fight-or-flight, should go away quickly on their own.
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24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Cold sweats: Is it the cold or a flu?Mold JW, Holtzclaw BJ, Mccarthy L.Night sweats: a systematic review of the literature.J Am Board Fam Med.2012;25(6):878-93. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2012.06.120033National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.Fight-or-flight syndrome.American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Pennsylvania State University.SiOWfa16: Science in our world: Certainty and controversy.Bonanno FG.Clinical pathology of the shock syndromes.J Emerg Trauma Shock.2011;4(2):233-43. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.82211National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Shock.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Septic shock.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sepsis.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).Iwase S, Nishimura N, Mano T.Role of sympathetic nerve activity in the process of fainting.Front Physiol.2014;5:343. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00343Alkali N, Al-Tahan A, Al-Majed M, Al-Tahan H.Complex regional pain syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.Ann Afr Med. 2020;19(1):68. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_23_19Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.Berliner D, Schneider N, Welte T, Bauersachs J.The differential diagnosis of dyspnea.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2016;113(49):834-845. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0834Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012National Institute on Drug Abuse.Impacts of drugs on neurotransmission.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal, & Addiction.Tesfaye N, Seaquist ER.Neuroendocrine responses to hypoglycemia.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2010;1212:12-28. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05820.xCancer Research UK.Causes of sweating.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information.Hot flashes and night sweats (PDQ).National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.Hot flashes and night sweats (PDQ)-Patient version.Whitaker K.Earlier diagnosis: the importance of cancer symptoms.Lancet Oncol. 2020;21(1):6-8. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30658-8Additional ReadingKyaw TH, Sullivan L, Klingsberg RC.A 45-year-old woman with 3 weeks of cough and night sweats.Chest. 2016 Mar;149(3):e87-90. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2015.08.014.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Cold sweats: Is it the cold or a flu?Mold JW, Holtzclaw BJ, Mccarthy L.Night sweats: a systematic review of the literature.J Am Board Fam Med.2012;25(6):878-93. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2012.06.120033National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.Fight-or-flight syndrome.American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Pennsylvania State University.SiOWfa16: Science in our world: Certainty and controversy.Bonanno FG.Clinical pathology of the shock syndromes.J Emerg Trauma Shock.2011;4(2):233-43. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.82211National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Shock.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Septic shock.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sepsis.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).Iwase S, Nishimura N, Mano T.Role of sympathetic nerve activity in the process of fainting.Front Physiol.2014;5:343. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00343Alkali N, Al-Tahan A, Al-Majed M, Al-Tahan H.Complex regional pain syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.Ann Afr Med. 2020;19(1):68. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_23_19Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.Berliner D, Schneider N, Welte T, Bauersachs J.The differential diagnosis of dyspnea.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2016;113(49):834-845. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0834Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012National Institute on Drug Abuse.Impacts of drugs on neurotransmission.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal, & Addiction.Tesfaye N, Seaquist ER.Neuroendocrine responses to hypoglycemia.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2010;1212:12-28. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05820.xCancer Research UK.Causes of sweating.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information.Hot flashes and night sweats (PDQ).National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.Hot flashes and night sweats (PDQ)-Patient version.Whitaker K.Earlier diagnosis: the importance of cancer symptoms.Lancet Oncol. 2020;21(1):6-8. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30658-8
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.Cold sweats: Is it the cold or a flu?
Mold JW, Holtzclaw BJ, Mccarthy L.Night sweats: a systematic review of the literature.J Am Board Fam Med.2012;25(6):878-93. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2012.06.120033
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.Fight-or-flight syndrome.
American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.
Pennsylvania State University.SiOWfa16: Science in our world: Certainty and controversy.
Bonanno FG.Clinical pathology of the shock syndromes.J Emerg Trauma Shock.2011;4(2):233-43. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.82211
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Shock.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Know the signs and symptoms of infection.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Septic shock.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sepsis.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hyperhidrosis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).
Iwase S, Nishimura N, Mano T.Role of sympathetic nerve activity in the process of fainting.Front Physiol.2014;5:343. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00343
Alkali N, Al-Tahan A, Al-Majed M, Al-Tahan H.Complex regional pain syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.Ann Afr Med. 2020;19(1):68. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_23_19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.
Berliner D, Schneider N, Welte T, Bauersachs J.The differential diagnosis of dyspnea.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2016;113(49):834-845. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0834
Grover S, Ghosh A.Delirium tremens: Assessment and management.J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2018;8(4):460-470. doi:10.1016/j.jceh.2018.04.012
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Impacts of drugs on neurotransmission.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Medications for Opioid Overdose, Withdrawal, & Addiction.
Tesfaye N, Seaquist ER.Neuroendocrine responses to hypoglycemia.Ann N Y Acad Sci.2010;1212:12-28. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05820.x
Cancer Research UK.Causes of sweating.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information.Hot flashes and night sweats (PDQ).
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.Hot flashes and night sweats (PDQ)-Patient version.
Whitaker K.Earlier diagnosis: the importance of cancer symptoms.Lancet Oncol. 2020;21(1):6-8. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30658-8
Kyaw TH, Sullivan L, Klingsberg RC.A 45-year-old woman with 3 weeks of cough and night sweats.Chest. 2016 Mar;149(3):e87-90. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2015.08.014.
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