Dealing with Cold Sweating

Cold sweats

Sweating doesn’t only occur in the presence of heat and exertion - many people deal with the bane of cold sweats. Sometimes cold sweats are harmless, but they can be a sign of serious health concerns too. This post will take a look at cold sweats and how sufferers can manage the condition. 

Describing Cold Sweats 

Cold sweats feel like what the name implies - there’s a chill you feel in your body that accompanies sweating. It may feel like having a cool or cold mist of water sprayed in your direction. You may sweat heavier than usual and it may occur in blistering heat or biting cold. 


The typical areas you’ll notice cold sweats are in the palms, armpits and the soles of your feet - areas where hyperhidrosis often strikes. Cold sweats aren’t a normal response to something like exercise. Also, they’re not synonymous with night sweats because cold sweats can happen while you’re awake (whereas night sweats only happen at night). 

Causes of Cold Sweats

An isolated bout of cold sweats usually isn’t a cause for concern. If anything, it’s just uncomfortable. However, frequent cold sweats is a red flag, a warning that something deeper is lurking, such as the development of a chronic illness or even an acute infection. 


Daily episodes of cold sweats or even having an episode a few times a week warrants a doctor’s visit. But there are some common suspects. 

Disorders that Trigger Cold Sweats 

  • Nausea or vertigo - If you’re feeling pukey or dizzy, it’s common to feel cold sweats. 
  • Stress or anxiety - Excessive stress or anxiety can trigger bouts of cold sweats in addition to other symptoms such as muscle tension and nausea. 
  • Migraines - Severe, long-lasting headaches can trigger cold sweats due to the pain.
  • Hypotension - Low blood pressure can lead to cold sensations in the body or full-blown cold sweats. Temporarily low blood pressure is not a major cause for concern, but frequently low or severely low blood pressure requires medical treatment. 
  • Menopause - The hormonal changes of menopause not only bring about hot flashes, they can trigger the opposite as well - cold sweats. 
      • Hypoglycemia - Have you ever skipped a meal and felt cold, clammy and sweaty? Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause cold sweats and the condition requires dietary management and medication if diabetes is involved.
  • Hyperhidrosis - Excessive sweating, triggered by hyperhidrosis, can result in cold sweats. 

    • Other conditions may cause cold sweats such as sepsis or hypoxia, but these illnesses also produce other severe symptoms that make medical attention a necessity. Regardless of how well you feel, you should visit your doctor if you experience cold sweats on a regular basis. Frequent episodes, especially if they’ve started suddenly, may be a sign of a new health problem so it’s better to err on the side of caution. 

    How to Treat Cold Sweats Holistically

    Ultimately, to find relief from cold sweats, you have to address the root cause. That’s why a doctor’s diagnosis is so crucial - identifying the underlying condition will help you find the exact treatment you need. In time, the cold sweats may subside. 


    Of course, cold sweats may accompany common ailments such as nausea or anxiety, so you will feel relief as soon as those other symptoms disappear. However, you’ll likely find relief through any one of the following methods regardless of what’s causing your cold sweats. 

    Typical Treatments that Bring Relief from Cold Sweats 

  • Medication - Since many causes of cold sweats involve hormones, neurotransmitters and other body chemicals, medication often comes into play. Even hyperhidrosis sufferers often receive anticholinergic medications to help keep cold sweats under control. 
  • Antiperspirants - An aluminum-based can often do wonders to block cold sweats, especially if they affect the armpits. This is especially true if the cause is hyperhidrosis. 
  • Lifestyle changes - Certain disorders such as hypoglycemia, anxiety disorders or digestive diseases (that cause nausea) may need lifestyle modifications. That may mean making changes to your diet, taking certain supplements, and undergoing talk therapy (in the case of anxiety). 
  • Moisture-wicking fabrics - If you sweat heavily in the armpits or torso, moisture-wicking fabrics can help significantly to bring relief from cold sweats. They pull moisture from the skin and then it evaporates, leaving you feeling dry fast. Sweat-resistant clothing isn’t a cure for cold sweats, but a line of moisture-wicking fabrics such as our line of NEAT Apparel t-shirts can provide immediate comfort. 

    • Put an End to Cold Sweats

    To say that cold sweats are a nuisance is an understatement. An episode may come out of nowhere and make you feel uncomfortable in a matter of minutes. If you experience persistent cold sweats, then it’s time to fight back. 


    Visit your doctor to make sure that it’s not a sign of a more serious illness. His or her diagnosis will help you find the exact treatment you need to keep it under control. And with the right treatment, you can find lasting relief. 


    Looking for sweat-proof, moisture-wicking fabrics that can help you feel and look dry? Check out our line of sweat-proof t-shirts made with patented technology to help you dry off fast!  

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