What makes you shiver

Your body needs to stay at a toasty Warm me up! The signals go to your brain telling you to wrap in the towel and to your spinal cord, which sends a message to other nerves all over your body. What happens next?

Your muscles tighten and loosen really fast. Once you get all snug and cozy in your towel and your body warms back up, your brain and nerves tell your muscles to stop shivering. There are other times when you might shiver, too. When you feel these things, your brain and nerves send out messages through your body that cause your muscles to get excited, so you shiver. You might notice that when you shiver, tiny bumps form all over your skin. Goosebumps happen because your skin is covered with hair.

When the muscles that are attached to each hair get tight, they pull the hair and your skin up into the air. We call them goosebumps because they look like the skin of a goose or a chicken. Towel off and put on some dry clothes to warm yourself up! Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only.

For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. All rights reserved. Find a Doctor. Low blood sugar can affect people in different ways. Shivering can actually be a step toward developing a fever, too. Fevers are another way your body fights off infections. Sometimes, shivering has nothing to do with your health or the temperature around you at all.

Instead, a spike in your adrenaline level can cause you to shiver. Babies actually warm up by burning fat in a process called thermogenesis. If you see a baby shivering or shaking, it could be a sign of low blood sugar.

Your baby may simply be hungry and in need of energy. In older adults, a tremor may be mistaken for a shiver. Some medications, such as bronchodilators used for asthma , can also cause shakiness. As you get older, you may also become more cold sensitive. This is due, in part, to a thinning of the fat layer under the skin, and a decrease in circulation.

It may be a sign you should have your thyroid checked. If your shivering is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or other flu-like complaints, then see your doctor immediately. The sooner you identify the cause of your shivering, the sooner you can start treatment. The right treatment plan for your shivering and other symptoms will depend on their underlying cause. If your shivering is a response to chilly weather or wet skin, then drying off and covering up should be enough to halt the shivers.

A virus usually needs time to run its course. Often, the only treatment is rest. In some serious cases, anti-viral medications may be appropriate. If you have a fever , gently sponging your skin with lukewarm water can help cool down the body.

Be careful not to put cold water on your skin, as it can cause you to shiver or make your shivering worse. If you get the chills because of an illness, be careful not to overheat with too many blankets or clothing layers. Lighter covering may be best. Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots.

It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Erin Heger. Body chills are commonly caused by cold external temperatures, or changing internal temperatures, such as when you have a fever. When you have chills without a fever, causes may include low blood sugar, anxiety or fear, or intense physical exercise. To get rid of chills, you'll need to treat the root cause, such as taking fever-reducing medications or boosting blood sugar levels.

This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. This story is part of Insider's guide to Fever. Erin Heger is a freelance journalist located in the Kansas City area.