Goosebumps are usually harmless and triggered by cold, fear, or strong emotions. “They occur when tiny muscles at the base of your hair follicles contract,” a reaction known as piloerection. It’s a normal part of the body’s fight-or-flight response.

However, unexplained or frequent goosebumps may signal health issues:

**1. Nervous System Disorders:**
Conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or autonomic neuropathy may cause spontaneous goosebumps, tingling, or shivering without cold.

**2. Autonomic (Piloerection) Seizures:**
These rare seizures cause chills or goosebumps on one or both sides of the body, sometimes with confusion or memory loss.

**3. Hormonal Imbalances:**
Rare tumors like pheochromocytoma can trigger sudden goosebumps, high blood pressure, sweating, or rapid heartbeat.

**4. Stress and Anxiety:**
Chronic stress may cause panic symptoms—goosebumps, sweating, shaking—without a physical threat.

**5. Skin Conditions:**
Issues like keratosis pilaris or allergic reactions can resemble persistent goosebumps.

See a doctor if you get goosebumps frequently without a clear cause, especially with numbness, irregular heart rate, or anxiety symptoms. As the article concludes, “It could be nothing—or it could be an early clue to something that deserves attention.”