Locations:
Search IconSearch

Why Water Turns Fingers and Toes Into Prunes

Your blood vessels shrink and your skin forms wrinkles to help you grip objects

Closeup of wrinkles on fingers and hand due to water exposure for an extended period.

Do you love taking long, hot showers or soaking in the tub? Or perhaps you swim like a fish and hit the pool every day?

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

You’ve surely noticed the curious effect of water on your skin.

“After just a few minutes in wet conditions, the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet and, in particular, your fingertips, will transform from smooth to wrinkly,” says dermatologist Alok Vij, MD.

But why do fingers prune? Dr. Vij explains the science behind it and offers some tips to protect your skin from other skin issues.

Why do your fingers prune?

So, what gives — shouldn’t exposure to water plump your skin up like a plum, rather than wrinkling it like a prune?

“This is a fascinating question,” says Dr. Vij. “That ‘pruning’ is more than just passive absorption of water into the protein-rich outer layer of your skin. It’s an active, adaptive process controlled by your sympathetic nervous system.”

Your sympathetic nervous system is part of a larger system in charge of unconscious body processes like digestion and breathing.

It’s mainly responsible for the “fight-or-flight response” that helped us run from a saber tooth tiger in prehistoric times.

And it’s believed that pruney skin is caused by your blood vessels shrinking and your skin forming wrinkles to help you grip objects better in wet conditions — allowing you to grab the slippery, wriggling fish our bodies needed for survival back in the day.

Advertisement

“The grooves appearing in your skin act like tire treads,” explains Dr. Vij. “They allow water to slide out from between the surface of your fingertips and the surface of objects you’re trying to grasp — like that bar of soap you just dropped.”

Is it normal?

Yes, developing pruning skin while in water is harmless and happens to everyone. You may have heard someone say they have pruning fingers or prune hands or prune skin — and most often, pruney fingers. Once out of the water, your skin should return to normal.

And while pruning skin is common, it’s best not to overstay your skin’s welcome in a shower or tub.

“Once your skin starts to prune, that’s your signal to wrap things up,” says Dr. Vij.

So, what can you do to avoid pruney skin? Ideally, you want to bathe in warm, not hot, water to avoid removing the natural oils from your skin.

And as soon as you get out, towel-dry briefly. Then, quickly apply moisturizer to add moisture back into your skin’s outer layer.

For those who love to take a dip in the pool or swim laps, pruning happens more often — but the bigger concern is what else can happen to your skin by being submerged in water for so long.

“Frequent swimmers encounter bigger problems than wrinkling of their fingers,” notes Dr. Vij.

Constant exposure to water, chlorine and other chemicals can cause dry skin, eczema or folliculitis.

To avoid the skin irritation, itching, inflammation or infection that result, Dr. Vij advises you to:

  • Take a short shower, using warm water and mild soap, soon after you get out of the pool.
  • Apply a moisturizer after you exit the shower.
  • Always wash swimsuits and dry them thoroughly before wearing again.
  • Apply a water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen half an hour before swimming outdoors, and each time after you leave the pool and towel off.

“These tips will help you enjoy swimming’s many benefits without consequences for your skin,” says Dr. Vij.

When you should be concerned

If you have pruning skin from being in water, there’s typically no need to stress. It’s a normal occurrence and a way of your body protecting and helping you.

But if you notice pruney or wrinkly skin and you haven’t been in water, it may signal a health condition like:

In those cases, it’s always best to talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

“Our skin tells fascinating stories about the way humans have adapted to the environment,” reflects Dr. Vij. “And its response to prolonged exposure to water is no different.”

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Health Library
Skin Care Basics and Tips

Related Articles

Older hands rubbing in lotion
June 10, 2024/Skin Care & Beauty
Have Crepey Skin? Here’s How You Can Address It

Topical treatments — and even some cosmetic procedures — may help reduce the appearance of this crinkled-paper look

edlerly woman getting botox injectin for wrinkle relief
January 28, 2022/Skin Care & Beauty
How to Smooth Away Laugh Lines With or Without Surgery

What you can do for laugh lines and facial creases

Scabs on a scalp with hair
April 29, 2025/Skin Care & Beauty
14 Reasons You Have Scabs on Your Scalp

Injury, itching, inflammation and irritants can all lead to scabs on your scalp

Person washing their long hair in the shower
April 29, 2025/Skin Care & Beauty
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

How often you lather up your locks can depend on various factors, like hair type, age and ethnicity

Bowl of oatmeal, bananas, blackberries and nuts, with milk, dumbbells and measuring tape on table
April 28, 2025/Exercise & Fitness
What Athletes Need To Know About Sports Nutrition

Having a well-rounded, healthy nutrition plan is just as important as staying consistent with your exercise routine

Person cleaning their belly button with a cotton swab
April 28, 2025/Skin Care & Beauty
The Ins and Outs of Cleaning Your Dirty Belly Button

Make sure you’re being gentle and using a fragrance-free, mild soap to clean your belly button

Shingles outbreak on shoulders
April 23, 2025/Infectious Disease
Recurrent Shingles: How It Happens and Who’s at Risk

If you have a weakened immune system, your risk for getting shingles a second or third time increases

Child in pool receiving a swimming lesson
April 22, 2025/Children's Health
Is There a Right Age for Kids To Learn How To Swim?

Swimming is an essential life skill — kids should start learning to swim by age 4

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad