Cold sweats seem like an oxymoron, amiright? Usually, when you sweat, your body is trying to cool itself down and regulate your body temperature. But if you’ve ever experienced cold sweats, that’s not what’s going on.
“Cold sweats occur when you perspire, but not for the function of body temperature regulation, as in normal sweating,” explains Cory Fisher, DO, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. And, while cold sweats can sometimes be a flash-in-the-pan response to stress or a normal hormonal response, they could also be a symptom of a larger health issue. Here’s what you need to know about cold sweats, including what causes them, how to prevent them, and when to see your doctor.
Meet the experts: Cory Fisher, DO, is a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. Taz Bhatia, MD, is board certified in integrative medicine, holistic medicine, and pediatrics, and is the author of the upcoming book The Hormone Shift.
What are cold sweats?
Sweating is your body’s natural air conditioning that kicks in, say, when you’re two miles into a run or hanging at the beach.
Cold sweats, however, are often linked to things like hormone changes, shock, infection, pain, or stress and can manifest at any time of day, says Taz Bhatia, MD, who is board certified in integrative medicine, holistic medicine, and pediatrics, and is the author of the upcoming book The Hormone Shift. Additionally, they can also occur as a side effect of some medications or even drug withdrawal.
Dr. Fisher adds that cold sweats are just that—sweating when you’re cold. With cold sweats, you will feel cold and wet. “No fever, no increased physical activity, no exposure to extreme heat—[cold sweats] seem to come out of nowhere,” he notes.
Symptoms Of Cold Sweats
If you’ve ever had cold sweats, your skin may feel wet and clammy. Depending on the cause, cold sweats can also be accompanied by a number of other symptoms. These can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- Confusion
Some symptoms could signal something more serious is going on. “In particular, any weight loss, fatigue, vomiting, or new lymph node enlargement would be worrisome,” says Dr. Fisher, so check in with your doctor or get medical attention.
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What causes cold sweats?
Cold sweats can be a sign of a larger underlying issue, or simply a normal bodily response to stress or fluctuating hormones. Here, we get a little deeper on a handful of potential causes:
- Infection. If your body is fighting off a virus or an infection, cold sweats may accompany it.
- Stress or anxiety. Your fight or flight response can cause hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to be released in your body, which can in turn elevate your heart rate and lead to cold sweats, says Dr. Fisher.
- Trauma or shock. If your body experiences trauma (like injury or pain) or shock, it lacks the ability for oxygen to get to vital organs, which can cause cold sweats, says Dr. Fisher.
- Hormones. “I see cold sweats a lot with women experiencing hormone imbalances and changes, such as menopause,” says Dr. Bhatia. Changes in your menstrual cycle could also cause cold sweats.
- Low blood sugar. Also known as hypoglycemia, low blood sugar can result in cold sweats.
- Heart disease. Heart conditions, including heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure, have all been linked to cold sweats.
- Medication side effects. Medications like thyroid hormone, morphine, drugs to reduce fever, and SSRIs have been found to cause cold sweats, says Dr. Fisher.
How are cold sweats treated?
In terms of treatment, again, the cause will guide this, and determining the cause could involve a few different tests. “Diagnosis of the underlying cause of cold sweats can usually be determined by a comprehensive history and exam from your healthcare provider,” says Dr. Fisher. Depending on the source, this may require some blood tests or imaging studies. “If you are experiencing an infection of some kind, antibiotics will help treat cold sweats,” says Dr. Bhatia.
If your cold sweats are due to hormonal fluctuations due to menopause, talk to your doctor about ways to manage them.
How can you prevent cold sweats?
To prevent cold sweats, it comes down to determining the underlying condition that may be causing them in the first place. In general, living a healthy lifestyle can help. “Getting regular exercise and avoiding habits such as smoking or drinking excessive alcohol can help prevent cold sweats as well as getting enough sleep and being aware of potential stressors or triggers,” adds Dr. Bhatia.
When To See A Doctor
There are a few circumstances when you shouldn’t let your cold sweats go unchecked. “If you are feeling extreme discomfort, pain, nausea, or fever (along with your cold sweats), you should to go the ER,” says Dr. Bhatia. And if your cold sweats are lasting more than a few days, it’s also time to reach out to a doctor, per Dr. Fisher.
Ultimately, if your cold sweats are concerning you or impacting your quality of life, don’t hesitate to get professional help—and be persistent. “Cold sweats can be frustrating because they can be caused by a number of factors,” says Dr. Bhatia. “Women are more susceptible to medical gaslighting than our male counterparts and ‘invisible symptoms,’ such as menstrual pain tend to be overlooked.”
Trust your instinct and speak to your doctor. “If you feel as if your doctor is not taking your concerns seriously, look for a second opinion,” Dr. Bhatia says.
Emily Shiffer is a former digital web producer for Men’s Health and Prevention, and is currently a freelancer writer specializing in health, weight loss, and fitness. She is currently based in Pennsylvania and loves all things antiques, cilantro, and American history.
Family medicine physician
Dr. Cory Fisher, DO, is a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, currently caring for patients of all ages. His areas of interest include chronic disease management, health promotion and disease prevention. His focus is musculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative technique.
