The Curious Clinicians 87 - Aquagenic Wrinkling
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Apr 17, 2024 Discover the science behind why our fingertips wrinkle in water, debunking the myth of dehydration as the cause. Explore the mechanics of water entry into the skin, the role of sweat glands and nerve system, and the evolutionary advantage of aquagenic wrinkling for grip efficiency. Learn how patients with Hansen's disease lack this ability due to nerve involvement.
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Tony Brew's Daughter Sparks Inquiry
- Tony Brew's daughter asked why her fingertips wrinkle after a bath, sparking his curiosity.
- This personal question led Tony to research and explain aquagenic wrinkling in depth.
Wrinkling Is Not Dehydration
- Water immersion causes fingertips to swell, not dehydrate, due to hypotonic fluid exposure.
- Wrinkling occurs despite swelling, contradicting the dehydration theory.
Salinity Affects Wrinkling Speed
- Fingertip wrinkling happens faster in distilled water and slows or stops with higher saline concentration.
- Ocean water's high osmolarity may reduce wrinkling compared to freshwater baths.