Skin Shrinking in Water: Shrinking of the skin of fingers in water is not just funny, but it can be an important sign related to your nerves and health.

Skin Shrinking in Water: Whenever we sit with our hands or feet in water for a long time. Like while bathing or swimming, it is often seen that the skin of the fingers shrinks and becomes wrinkled. In childhood, we might have thought it was funny, but do you know that this is not a normal process, but can also be an important sign related to our nerves and health?

Why does skin shrink in water?

There is a thin layer on the skin of our fingers which is called epidermis. When we stay in water for a long time, this layer absorbs water and swells. But the special thing is that these wrinkles are not formed only due to water. Scientific research shows that this process is related to our nervous system. Shrinking of skin is a neurological reflex. Which is controlled by the autonomic nervous system of our body. This process occurs when the nerves shrink the blood vessels slightly after coming in water, due to which the skin shrinks. 

Which diseases can it be related to?

Type 2 Diabetes 

Diabetes can damage the nerves in the body, causing this skin reflex to become weak or abnormal. If your skin does not wrinkle despite being in water for a long time, it could be a symptom of diabetic neuropathy.

cystic fibrosis

This is a genetic disease that affects the mucus and sweat glands in the body. Research has found that the fingers of people suffering from cystic fibrosis shrink much faster and deeper than normal people.

Nerve Injury 

If the nerves in your arms or legs are damaged because of an accident or illness, shrinking of the skin in water will not be normal. 

Cardiovascular problems 

Heart diseases also affect blood circulation. This skin reflex can also become abnormal due to obstruction in blood flow. 

What we consider a game since childhood can actually be a warning related to the depth of our body. Shrinking of the skin in water is not just a reflex but a mirror of your health. Do not take it lightly because the body gives signals of everything, we just need to know how to understand it.