Any person sometimes has the so-called "goosebumps." What is the reason for this phenomenon? In the people it is called "goosebumps": covered with goosebumps, human skin really becomes similar to it. In fact, this term is quite medical and its correspondence is in Latin - in this language it sounds like “cutis anserina”.
"Goosebumps" occur under certain circumstances. Often, "goosebumps" on the skin "run" due to strong emotions. In particular, it can be awe, ecstasy, satisfaction, arousal, including sexual one. The manifestation of cutis anserina on the skin is often triggered by fear or freezing.
This phenomenon got its name due to the similarity of human skin covered with pimples ("goose bumps") with a goose. After the feathers are plucked at the geese, instead of them there are seals remotely resembling human hair follicles. The appearance of “goosebumps” on the skin manifests itself as a rudimentary pilomotor reflex, which is responsible for raising hair in animals. The mechanism of this process can be described as follows: it arises due to stimulation of the sensitive peripheral nerves originating from the spinal cord. As a result, the peripheral nerve endings are excited, which are responsible for the contraction of the muscles of the hair follicles. When their muscles contract, the so-called piloerection occurs - the hairs rise and “goosebumps” run through the skin.
The pilomotor reflex is characteristic not only of humans, but also of most mammals. Raised hairs (wool) prevent cooling of the body, while maintaining the air layer warmed up by the body at the skin surface. It is noteworthy that piloerection does not have practical meaning for a person, due to the fact that only certain parts of his body have a hair covering. In this case, the significance of this reflex was lost in the process of evolution. But for animals, reared fur allows, if necessary, to look more fierce and intimidating. For example, when the manifestation of the pilomotor reflex is provoked by danger, a sense of fear.
It was previously mentioned that a person can “goosebump” with strong emotional experiences. Sometimes people describe in this way their impressions of attending divine services, listening to music, watching movies or sports. The appearance of a piloerection can cause excitement - strong emotions that accompany the game of poker, roulette, etc.
“Goosebumps” on the skin often “run” due to squeezing - prolonged exposure to nerve trunks. A person says in such cases that he "served" his leg or "laid back" his hand. Metabolic disorders, a lack of vitamins in the body can also be the cause of the manifestation of pilomotor reflex. In some cases, a frequent experience of such sensations, in particular in the region of the lower extremities, can signal that a person has serious vascular pathologies.
We are talking about diseases such as atherosclerosis, varicose veins and other circulatory disorders. In this case, a consultation with a phlebologist is necessary. However, in most cases, “goosebumps”, in particular, often manifested - this is still a neurological syndrome, and they “run through” as a result of mental reactions of the body. Often, this phenomenon is experienced by people who are suspicious, who are characterized by increased emotionality. We should not exclude the possibility of purely dermatological causes of the "goose bumps" - especially in those cases when the symptom does not appear episodically, but constantly. Excessive dryness of the skin may be their cause.
In most cases, the described syndrome does not indicate the presence of any disease. A cause for concern should be its frequent occurrence, especially in combination with pain and numbness of the limbs.