Every we come into prolonged contact with water, like when taking a bath, after a while, our fingers get wrinkly. But why? Originally it was thought that skin would wrinkle our finger tips and toes because the outer layer of skin would absorb water. This would cause it to increase in volume and expand, but because it is attached to the lower layers of skin the result is wrinkly fingers. However, we know now that this is not the case.

Our fingers get wrinkly due to constricting blood vessels

So what is happening? Well, when our fingers are submerged in water for a long period of time nerve signals cause blood vessels in our fingers to constrict. As a result, this reduces the volume of the padding in our finger tips and toes, which causes them to wrinkle. It is still possible that this mechanism is triggered by the outer layer of skin absorbing water, there is a biological response which is causing these wrinkles, implying that there is a reason behind this adaption. And now research suggests that there is.

Research has found that the seemingly hazardous wrinkles allow us to get good grip on wet objects. Furthermore, these wrinkles allow for water to drain away pretty effectively – just in a similar way rain tyres on your car improve grip on roads. This would give us a great advantage throughout evolutionary history, especially in wet environments. We were able to climb up out of the water onto rocks easier and hold wet weapons or tools better.

In the end wrinkly fingers do give us a pretty surprising benefit. Want to learn more about why our fingers go wrinkly in water, be sure to watch the video below!