Why does the finger wrinkle in water: the body's response to moisture

When we bathe in the bathroom, take a shower, refresh ourselves in a river, lake or sea, we notice that our fingers become wrinkled. Many people are frightened by this fact, but there is nothing terrible in it. There are several hypotheses that explain why fingers wrinkle in the water.

The first hypothesis

For a long time, scientists thought that the wrinkles formed on the fingers only because the skin is in contact with moisture. The answer to the question about why the fingers wrinkled in the water was the version that the skin can absorb liquid. This feature is due to the fact that blood vessels taper under hot water.

The hypothesis was defeated because it does not explain why our fingers wrinkle from water, if it is cool or cold. It was also found that if the nerves are cut, the skin also remains smooth. Because of this discovery, the hypothesis was deemed false.

Biological causes of wrinkling of fingers

There is also a biological explanation of why fingers wrinkle in the water. The fact is that when contact with water, oil is washed off, which are designed to protect the dermis from mechanical damage. As a result, the upper layer of the epithelium deforms, and deep wrinkles are formed.

The lower layer of skin does not absorb moisture, so it does not swell and does not change its structure.

Why fingers do not swell

But that's why the fingers quickly wrinkle in the water, but do not swell, because it would be more logical? The fact is that our body is 70% water. Protective oils that are present on the skin, ensure the safety of this liquid. Without them, the body would lose moisture, and when immersed in water, dehydration would occur much faster.

When we bathe, the oil is washed off. Water begins to seep out. The membranes become empty, so they fold and ... form wrinkles.

We notice that the fingers, when immersed in water, become like dried fruits, but other parts of the body remain in their normal state. This is due to the fact that the latter have additional sebaceous glands. They produce a protective oil at almost the same speed as water flushes it. Therefore, the liquid simply does not have time to leave the body, the membranes remain full, therefore, the skin does not wrinkle.

The biological feature of the human body must be supported by scientific explanation. A recent theory that explains why fingers wrinkle in water is associated with evolution.

Evolutionary theory of wrinkle formation on the fingers

English scientists have studied this phenomenon for a very long time. In the end, having tried all sorts of hypotheses, they came to the conclusion that fingers, when in contact with water, frown due to evolution.

After studying the photos of the wrinkled fingers of many people, the scientists found that the drawings on them are identical, and the location of the folds is always the same. Later, experimentally, it was revealed that such a structure helps to retain wet objects much more efficiently. That is, when immersed in water, our body adapts to this habitat.

Analyzing the historical aspect, scientists decided that primitive people wrinkled fingers were simply necessary for survival. The ancient man was in constant contact with the water. He was fishing, had to hunt in rainy weather and swim to hide from predators. If the fingers remained smooth, it would complicate the process of hunting and fishing, because the tools would constantly fall out of the hands.

This answer to the question of why the fingers wrinkle after the water is now the most common.

Feet feet are also covered with wrinkles on contact with moisture. The explanation for this phenomenon is similar to the previous one. To better understand the mechanism of this phenomenon, scientists recommend us to recall ... car tires. When it rains, the land becomes wet. Protector provides good grip. So in nature. If the sole of the feet were perfectly smooth, then the primitive man would constantly slip and fall, which in itself dooms him to death during the escape from the enemy.

Unresolved tasks

Scientists are still puzzled by the question of why the wrinkles on the fingers, which are so necessary for survival, did not stay forever, regardless of the influence of water, because that would be logical. Studies that deal with this phenomenon are still ongoing. But scientists have already put forward one hypothesis. They believe that wrinkles on the fingers dull the sensitivity. Determining the properties of objects to the touch would be a problematic action. Such a theory is really plausible, but to prove it, scientists conduct additional studies and put experiments.

Thus, there is nothing terrible and surprising in the fact that fingers are wrinkled when they come into contact with water. This is a natural reaction of the body to moisture, so do not be afraid of this phenomenon.