Cold sweat or diaphoresis is sweat that appears not caused by exercise or hot weather. This condition is not related to the weather being cold or hot. Cold sweats can appear on any part of the body, but generally appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and underarms.
Cold sweats are different from sweat that occurs during sleep (night sweats). Night sweats experienced only during sleep, and occurs throughout the body. While cold sweat can be experienced at any time.
Cold sweats, also known as secondary hyperhidrosis, are symptoms of a number of medical conditions, some of which are dangerous and classified as emergency.
Causes of Cold Sweat
There are various conditions that can cause cold sweats, as will be explained below:
Shock Hypoxia Hypoglycemia Hypotension Hyperthyroidism Infection Cancer Heart attack Vertigo Migraine Nauseous Pain from injury Faint MenopauseMenopause is a condition when the balance of the hormones estrogen and progesterone changes drastically, causing the menstrual cycle to end. Cold sweats commonly appear accompanied by hot flashes during menopause and perimenopause (the period after menstruation starts infrequently until it stops completely and enters menopause). Stress Drugs Treatment of cold sweats depends on the underlying cause. For example, a cold sweat caused by a heart attack requires intensive care in the hospital. For intractable causes, such as menopause, your doctor may prescribe an antiperspirant that contains 10 to 15 percent aluminum chloride. The content of aluminum chloride will work to clog the sweat glands in the skin. The next method to deal with cold sweat is iontophoresis. In this procedure, a low electric current is delivered to the patient's skin, temporarily blocking the sweat glands. In general, this procedure is performed to reduce sweating in the armpits, palms, and soles of the feet. Another option for dealing with cold sweats is injections botulinum toxin (botox). Botox works by blocking the nerves that signal the production of sweat.Cold Sweat Treatment