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What is Goose Flesh?
Goose flesh, more commonly called goosebumps, is a condition in which the skin at the base of individual hairs stand up or appear swollen, giving the skin a bumpy appearance. It is generally caused by the nervous system during the fight-or-flight response or during times of cold, sexual arousal, or sometimes disease. Once the stimulant is over, the skin generally returns to normal.
When the muscles beneath the hairs contract, it results in each individual hair standing on end. Bumps seems to appear beneath them, and the skin takes on a bumpy or pointy look and feel. The skin may also feel more rigid to the touch. This is a benign condition and causes no harm to the body. There is no way to reduce the appearance of goosebumps aside from warming the skin or removing the threat, or assumed threat, causing the response.
The term goose flesh stems from the fact that geese have a similar bumpy appearance on skin where feathers have been removed. For geese, this is a permanent state and is not caused by a stimulant. Many animals, including geese, have also have the same skin response when startled or threatened or when cold. Goosebumps have necessary functions when exhibited in wildlife, however, whereas in humans they serve little purpose.
Most mammals have the goose flesh response, as well as some birds and other species. This serves to keep them warm by forming a layer of insulation around the body by holding warm air in. Animals with thick fur may also exhibit this response when threatened because it makes them appear larger, helping ward off enemies. These explanations are only hypotheses as to why this occurs, and it is entirely unknown why goosebumps occur in humans, although it may stem from prehistoric man's need to appear larger against predators.
There are certain diseases which may cause goose flesh as well, including brain tumors and epilepsy. If goosebumps begin occurring without explanation, it is a good idea to get an exam by a medical professional. This is especially worrisome if other symptoms are present.
Sometimes withdrawal from certain medications and recreational drugs may also cause goose flesh to appear. Heroin and opiates are two examples. This is generally a temporary condition that goes away once the drugs are out of the system or the user takes a dose of the drug. Other symptoms are also generally apparent.
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![Heroin withdrawal might cause temporary goose flesh.]()
By: Richard VillalonHeroin withdrawal might cause temporary goose flesh. -
![Goose flesh, also called goose bumps, is usually triggered by the nervous system when it's cold, during sexual arousal, or possibly when a person is infected with a disease.]()
By: Tyler OlsonGoose flesh, also called goose bumps, is usually triggered by the nervous system when it's cold, during sexual arousal, or possibly when a person is infected with a disease. -
![Goosebumps may appear as a result of sudden fear or stress.]()
By: dacasdoGoosebumps may appear as a result of sudden fear or stress. -
![Goose bumps may occur as a result of heat exhaustion.]()
By: luluGoose bumps may occur as a result of heat exhaustion. -
![Goosebumps are generally caused by the nervous system during the fight-or-flight response.]()
By: MopicGoosebumps are generally caused by the nervous system during the fight-or-flight response. -
![Someone who is chilled may experience goose flesh.]()
By: Subbotina AnnaSomeone who is chilled may experience goose flesh. -
![Epilepsy has been known to cause goose flesh.]()
By: wellphotoEpilepsy has been known to cause goose flesh. -
![Gooseflesh can occur in someone who has a cold.]()
By: ImcsikeGooseflesh can occur in someone who has a cold.
Discussion Comments
As usual, the sensory function of hairs gets overlooked, and goosebumps have a role in enhancing that sensory function during moments of fright or arousal.
By standing hairs on end the distance we can feel things via vibration or movement of hair shafts is increased to it's maximum. When hairs are laid against each other, those movements of hairs shafts are dampened; goosebumps tend to separate them so there is less dampening, so sensory sensitivity is enhanced. This functional enhancement of touch sensitivity almost certainly goes way, way back to before mammals were a separate group and before hairs were used as insulation, or the use of fur as a way to look bigger and fiercer.
Another interesting point to note is that goosebumps link nearby hair follicles so that a small sensation in one or a few hairs/follicles spreads in a reaction that is more widely felt; more widely and more distinctly.
When goosebumps pop up, the sensitivity is improved in multiple ways. In one sense they are a leftover; the sensory function has been modified by evolution in various ways but it has never gone away. --Ken F.
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