What Are the Causes of Goose Egg Bumps?

by Lysis

Overview

Goosebumps can occur after a swim.

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Those hardened bumps that appear on the skin after a swim or in the cold have been nicknamed "goose egg bumps" or "goosebumps." These bumps are a natural and automatic reaction to an adverse environment or strong emotion.
Function

Goosebumps are caused by what is known as the "pilomotor reflex," the body's response to fear, a cold environment, or skin irritation. The reflex causes the body's muscles to contract, and the muscle fibers around the hair follicles tighten and pucker the skin, resulting in the goosebumps.

Identification

Goosebumps are identified as tiny bumps that appear on the skin. They can appear all over the body, the hairs on the skin standing straight up. Some people shiver during goosebump episodes.
Purpose

The main reason for goosebumps is to insulate and harbor heat in the body. The raised hair caused by the muscle contraction helps keep air near the skin, thereby retaining heat close to the body. Humans do not have enough hair for it to be effective, but furrier mammals benefit a lot from goosebumps.
Effects

Since goosebumps are often caused by fear or cold, people who experience them tend to rub their skin. Rubbing the skin increases heat through friction, which alleviates the problem.
Fun Fact

When cats are ready to battle, the pilomotor reflex enables them to raise the hair on their body. This makes them look bigger, and it's a sign that the animals are ready to fight.