Why Does Skin Get Pruney in the Tub?

Why Does Skin Get Pruney in the Tub?

Osmosis.

I wrote about this in the Biomedical Engineering Blog!

http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/20328/Summertime-Mysteries-Solved

There are couple different theories including the dead skin cells on your fingers swelling, and vasoconstriction.

I'll take a guess.

If we were to look at skin as an individual organism, (aside from holding us together), it is designed to both breath, and mostly, to pass water to the outer layer as sweat to keep us cool, as well as getting rid of certain toxins...............to which anyone that has been very drunk, can attest.

In simple terms, I would imagine that a long soak in a tub would cause the skin cells to both swell and contract............if that makes sense. In other words, once the skin becomes super saturated, it reacts to keep the outside water from getting inside the body, preventing the sweat glands and pores from becoming a two way street.

It's interesting to note, that the skin surface and the blood supply underneath become more distant from each other, hence the leathery white skin.

I might be wrong, but I believe the effect happens faster with salt water, (higher toxicity). I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the immune system is involved.

Since the palms and feet pass sweat more readily than the rest of the skin, they would also be the first areas through which toxins could be introduced, therefore, they would be the first to shut down, (prune), to prevent intruders from entering.

I think I'm done.

Well. I thought I was done.

Now that I think about it, I believe that the pruning happens much faster if you dip your hand in a container of paint thinner...............but not fast enough. The nature of the solvent allows it to pass through the skin and into the bloodstream, to the point that you can taste it.

Yep. My official hypothesis, is that it is an auto immune response.

That's what I would do, if I were skin.

To keep my pride intact, I'd look like I was doing my own thing. But in reality, I would be working in concert with the immune system, to keep my cargo safe.

Remember to wash behind your ears.

Really?

I just soak mine in salt water until they prune, and then I go out dancing.