Goose pimples

[Obo]

I go outside in the cold.. get goose pimples [thicken my skin to kepp me warmer?] I get in a hot bath..get goose pimples [increase my skins surface area to cool me down?] Why does the body respond in the same way to both an increase and decrease in temperature relativeto the body?

[rekstout]

When we are cold, the hair on our body is lifted into a more upright position in order to trap a thicker layer of warm air close to the body for insulation. The "goose pimple" effect is a result of the erector muscles in each hair follicle changing shape to raise the hair into an upright position.

Not sure about when warm though - doesn't happen to me.

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?li=MNI
&ArticleKey=7115 and a link will take you to an American medical website all about goose pimples...NB they call them goose bumps.

In the last paragraph, you will see that an increased heart-rate - which probably happens to you on getting into a hot bath - can cause these, probably as part of our ancient 'fight or flight' responses.

[xyzzyplugh]

google 'horripilation'