Treebeard's Stumper 29 January 1999

Prune Fingers

Nothing relieves the pains of a long bike ride like a good soak in the hot tub. I can usually tell when I've had enough because my fingers and toes get wrinkled, like prunes. But why does this happen? Real prunes are wrinkled because they shrink as they dry. But I'm in hot water up to my neck in the hot tub, so that can't be the reason. Why do my hands and feet get wrinkled (or pruned?), but not the rest of me? Does salt water or temperature make a difference? Duty calls. It's time to fire up the hot tub and do some research!

Answer

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