Why do fingers get wrinkly in the bath?
Your fingers get wrinkly in the bath because your body tells your skin to scrunch up.
Pip’s answer
- Your fingers get wrinkly in the bath because your body tells your skin to scrunch up.
- After a while in water, tiny tubes under your fingertip skin get a little narrower.
- Scientists think wrinkles help us grip wet things, like little bumps on boots.
- Wow-ee, when you dry off, your fingers go smooth again all by themselves!
For grown-ups
Wrinkly fingertips in water aren't just soggy skin. Nerves signal blood vessels under the fingertips to narrow, which pulls the skin into wrinkles. Some studies suggest wrinkles help us grip wet objects, though scientists still debate this.
Ask your child: Can you pick up a wet marble more easily with wrinkly fingers?
More questions kids ask
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- 😴Why do we need to sleep?
- 🥱Why do we yawn?
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