• Question: Why do our fingers go wrinkly if we stay in water for too long ?

    Asked by 525nepk48 to Ed, Kerrianne, Nina, Oli, yoyehudi on 6 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Ed Bracey

      Ed Bracey answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      Well thanks, I never wondered about that and your question made me look it up!

      People used to think that it was just caused by water moving into your skin, making it swell up.
      But it turns out if you have nerve damage to the skin, it doesn’t happen.
      It’s caused by blood vessels below the skin closing off. So your body is choosing to make it happen!

      Some scientists have suggested it might basically turn our skin and feet into little tyre treads that help us grip things better when we’re in the water!

      Source:
      https://www.nature.com/news/science-gets-a-grip-on-wrinkly-fingers-1.12175

    • Photo: Yo Yehudi

      Yo Yehudi answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      Here’s the silly answer: clearly you’ve been in the bath too long! 😛 Isn’t the water cold by now?

Comments