Why Do Fingers Wrinkle in Water?

Most people think their fingers wrinkle because the skin drinks up water like a sponge. But that is not true! If your nerves are damaged and cannot send signals, your fingers stay smooth even after a long bath.

Your body has an active system inside it. When you get wet, tiny blood vessels under your fingertips shrink or tighten up. This pulling action makes the skin bunch up into wrinkles. It is like wearing a shirt that is slightly too big; when the shoulders tighten, the fabric folds.

Scientists believe this happens because wrinkled fingers act like tire treads. Just as tires grip wet roads better than smooth wheels, your wrinkled fingertips can hold onto slippery things more easily. Your body does this for you automatically to help you grab items when they are wet!