Sweating and pale skin: what it can mean

Sweating cools the body, while pale skin can reflect narrowed surface blood vessels or reduced blood flow to the skin. Together they may occur with overheating, fear, pain, low blood sugar, dehydration or a fainting episode. Anaemia can make skin look pale and may also cause tiredness, breathlessness or a racing heartbeat; iron deficiency anaemia is one possible cause. Sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency can also affect blood cells, but symptoms vary and a clinical assessment is needed.

Move to a cool or well-ventilated place, sit or lie down if you feel faint, loosen tight clothing and sip water if you are awake and able to drink. Note when the sweating and pallor began, what you were doing, and whether there was dizziness, chest discomfort, breathlessness, bleeding or a change in bowel habits. Arrange a GP consultation if episodes recur, last beyond the trigger, or occur with fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance. Do not start iron supplementation without advice, because the cause of anaemia should be confirmed first.

Seek emergency help for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, heavy bleeding, a seizure or cold clammy skin with rapidly worsening symptoms. These signs can indicate a serious circulation problem or another emergency. If the person is unconscious, do not give food or drink; place them safely on their side if breathing and call emergency services.

Ask whether you need a blood count or tests for iron, vitamin B12 and other causes of pallor. Tell the clinician about heavy periods, dietary changes, digestive symptoms, weight change, medicines and any family history of blood disorders.