The Curious Clinicians
87 - Aquagenic Wrinkling
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.
22:05
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Quick takeaways
- Aquagenic wrinkling is caused by immersion in hypotonic fluid, leading to swollen fingertips instead of dehydration.
- The involvement of the nervous system in aquagenic wrinkling indicates potential use as a clinical test for peripheral nerve function.
Deep dives
Aquagenic Wrinkling: The Curiosity Behind Fingertip Changes
Aquagenic wrinkling, commonly experienced after aquatic exposure, intrigued Tony Brew after his daughter's simple yet profound question led him to delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon. Immersion in hypotonic fluid like water causes the fingertips to swell rather than dehydrate, contrary to common belief. Studies show that varying tenacity of solutions affects the time it takes for wrinkling to occur, indicating that higher osmolarity solutions lead to less wrinkling.
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