Fingers wrinkle in water due to an autonomic nervous system response

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

3 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that fingers wrinkle in water due to an autonomic nervous system response?

Yes. Scientific literature confirms that water-induced finger wrinkling is driven by vasoconstriction regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 3 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 5 Aug 2026

The analysis

Multiple papers, including Wilder et al. (2014) and Lima et al. (2025), explicitly state or investigate water-immersion finger wrinkling as a sympathetic nervous system-dependent process. There are no refuting studies in the provided set.

Evidence for · 3

Water-Induced Finger Wrinkles Do Not Affect Touch Acuity or Dexterity in Handling Wet Objects

2014

States explicitly that human skin wrinkling after water exposure is a sympathetic nervous system-dependent process.

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Haseleu, J., Omerbašić, D., Frenzel, H., Gross, M., & Lewin, G. (2014). Water-Induced Finger Wrinkles Do Not Affect Touch Acuity or Dexterity in Handling Wet Objects. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0084949

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More for · 2

The applicability of the digit wrinkle scan to quantify sympathetic nerve function.

2022

Discusses the stimulated skin wrinkling test as a procedure used to quantify sympathetic nerve function.

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M, S., CML, G., BTA, d. G., IBT, J., CG, F., ISJ, M., & JGJ, H. (2022). The applicability of the digit wrinkle scan to quantify sympathetic nerve function.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnp.2022.03.005

Influence of Physical, Chemical, and Sympathetic Stimuli on Water-Immersion Finger Wrinkling

2025

Notes that stimulated skin wrinkling reflects the integrity of the autonomic nervous system, eccrine sweat glands, and microcirculation.

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Martimiano, B. D., Belli, M., Lai, M., Morita, M., Minagawa, F. H., Espósito, A. C., Oliveira, V. D. d., Coelho, M. S., & Miot, H. A. (2025). Influence of Physical, Chemical, and Sympathetic Stimuli on Water-Immersion Finger Wrinkling. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1159/000546695

Related receipts

Is it true that the fight-or-flight response is an involuntary autonomic nervous system reaction? SUPPORTED related question, same topic
Is it true that Wim Hof consciously controls his autonomic nervous system? PARTIAL LEAN related question, same topic

What does the evidence say?

Receipt History

first checked05 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 8205 Aug 2026

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