Goosebumps on Skin: what Causes Them and Can You Prevent Them?

Reevan holds a master's degree in mass communication and journalism and is a certified skincare coach. He is also a photographer by hobby and a part-time teacher by passion and has an innate ability t... more

  • What Are Goosebumps?
  • Types Of Goosebumps
  • What Are The Symptoms Of Goosebumps
  • Why Do You Get Goosebumps?
  • Are Goosebumps The Indicators Of Any Medical Condition?
  • Treating And Preventing Goosebumps
  • When To See A Doctor?

What Are Goosebumps?

Goosebumps are caused due to your body’s involuntary reaction called piloerection, which is triggered by the arrector pili muscles. This is an involuntary muscle that causes the hair on your skin to stand upright and create small dimple-like formations that look like goose skin (1). Hence the name goosebumps.

Did you know that there are different types of goosebumps? If not, read the next section to find out more.

Types Of Goosebumps

Goosebumps are of 2 types, voluntary and postmortem. Let us understand both in detail.

Goosebumps, in general, are involuntary. In some rare cases, people might be able to control them by exerting control over the arrector pili muscles(muscles that are attached to the end of hair follicles under the skin). This is called voluntarily generated piloerection (VGP). A small study from 2018 revealed that 3 out of 32 people who were part of the study could control VGP (1). Researchers were unable to determine how these 3 individuals managed to voluntarily control goosebumps.

Rigor mortis can cause goosebumps to appear post death. When a person dies, their body stops producing the chemical adenosine triphosphate which is essential in maintaining the integrity of the cells and muscles. This causes rigor mortis to set in and causes goosebumps to appear (2).

Goosebumps are harmless and do not cause you any inconvenience as such. In the next section, let’s look at a few of the symptoms of goosebumps

What Are The Symptoms Of Goosebumps

The most common symptom of goosebumps is bumpy skin as you will notice this very prominently on your arms. You will also notice goosebumps appearing on your legs, neck, and chest.

Some of the other symptoms accompanying goosebumps could be:

  • Raising of the hair
  • Feeling cold or chill
  • Mild shaking or trembling

Having identified the symptoms of goosebumps on skin do you want to know what causes goosebumps and why do you get them?

Why Do You Get Goosebumps?

Goosebumps can occur due to many reasons, some of which are:

Studies suggest that piloerection is responsible for playing a key role in regulating body temperature. When exposed to cold weather your body tends to conserve heat through its built-in mechanisms such as goosebumps (3).

When you undergo an intense emotional experience, your body releases adrenaline and dopamine that cause goosebumps. This is mostly why you see goosebumps on your skin when you are nervous or anxious (4). You may also notice goosebumps when a loved one touches you or when you are having an orgasm during sexual intercourse.

Studies also suggest that music, art installations, and certain passages from books can cause goosebumps (5). Perhaps now you know why you get goosebumps when reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to music.

Using narcotic substances can stimulate certain chemical reactions in your body that can cause goosebumps. Drugs such as methamphetamine can result in an adrenaline rush that may cause goosebumps. In some cases, reactions to medications such as milnacipran hydrochloride may also cause goosebumps (7882e21515867b946/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2044854' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >6). Withdrawal from chronic use of opiates can also cause goosebumps to appear (7).

If none of the above reasons are causing goosebumps, there may be a possibility of an underlying medical condition that is causing them. Let us try and understand what these are.

Are Goosebumps The Indicators Of Any Medical Condition?

Goosebumps, in general, do not last for long. However, if they persist for a longer duration, it may be due to an underlying medical condition. Some of the probable conditions are:

A skin condition called keratosis pilaris causes goosebumps-like formations to appear on the skin. This is a common inherited skin disorder that is completely harmless. People diagnosed with this condition may find black or brown colored goosebumps-like formations appearing on their upper arms, legs, buttocks, and mid-section. This skin condition is caused due to the excess production of keratin blocking the hair follicles (8).

The appearance of goosebumps is one of the side effects of autonomic dysreflexia. This is a medical condition that emerges after sustaining a severe injury to the spinal cord(9).

This is a condition that causes seizures in the temporal lobe of the brain. Studies suggest that patients diagnosed with this condition may experience goosebumps as one of the symptoms (10).

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. So, let us find out if there is a way to prevent goosebumps.

Treating And Preventing Goosebumps

Goosebumps cannot be treated and in most cases, they do not require medical attention. They go away on their own in a few minutes. However, there are a few tips you can follow to prevent them from occurring even though they aren’t sure- fire methods.

  • Cover yourself with warm clothes.
  • Avoid wind drafts and very low temperatures on your air conditioning system.
  • Avoid emotionally stressful situations.
  • Avoid using drugs and illegal substances.
  • Regularly moisturize your skin with a good moisturizing lotion.

With these simple tips, preventing and treating goosebumps should be manageable. But, what happens if you cannot prevent them? Do you require medical assistance? Let us find out in the next section.

When To See A Doctor?

Seeking medical treatment, in general, is not necessary as goosebumps tend to occur temporarily and subside on their own. However, as previously mentioned, if they last for a prolonged period, you will need to seek medical attention as it might be an indication of an underlying condition.

In conclusion, goosebumps on skin are an involuntary bodily reaction that you need not worry about. In some rare cases, people can voluntarily control goosebumps. Goosebumps can be caused by various factors such as cold temperatures, emotionally intense experiences, or certain drug usage. Some skin conditions like keratosis pilaris may cause goosebumps-like formations to appear on the skin. Treatment is not required in most cases, but if they persist for a prolonged duration you will require medical attention.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

What is the purpose of goosebumps?

Studies suggest that the appearance of goosebumps may be your body’s natural mechanism to conserve heat in cold conditions (3).

Why are there goosebumps on my skin that won’t go away?

It may be because of some underlying medical conditions such as keratosis pilaris, autonomic dysreflexia, or temporal lobe epilepsy (8), (9),(10).

Are goosebumps good or bad?

In most cases, they are nothing to be worried about. If they don’t subside, then you need to see a doctor.

What happens when you get goosebumps?

Your skin becomes bumpy, like goose flesh, and the hair on your arms stands upright.

Can you control your goosebumps?

No, you cannot control them as they are an involuntary reaction. In some rare cases, individuals can voluntarily control them.

What is the cause of chills in the body?

Chills can be caused by being exposed to cold weather, or they may be due to a fever or flu.

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