My fingernails are extremely sensitive, and yes, I can taste things through my fingers. It all has to do with the wiring of the brain. Each sense has neurons connected to the sensors, and somehow, the sense of taste, which is a very old sense, has a few wires that go down the fingers. I absolutely hate lotion on my hands, for the taste gets in my mouth-ick! It is just a mis-wiring of the brain, and is a recessive trait. I also have other oddities such as perfect pitch and perfect pitch memory, where I can recall in complete fullness a piece of music as did Mozart- but I lack the gene that allowed him to then write down what he heard. I cannot do that. I have also freckles, a gene for red hair, migraines, fair skin- all these are found on just one gene. I guess in some ways, all of us are unique! Fold your hands. Which thumb is on top? Whether you have the right or left thumb on top is inherited, and another odd trait. Human DNA mapping is discovering all sorts of great stuff. I remember when they discovered, through studies of separated twins, that the tendency to wear a lot of rings is actually inherited! Imagine that! (I have that gene, too!) We even inherit a liking for certain names and faces. It goes on and on. Just enjoy it, and use it as an icebreaker at parties.

LOL and blessings, Jai

This is almost certainly a form of synesthesia, a neurologically-based condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.

Synesthesia basically means crossing one sense with another. As Jaianniah correctly points out, it has to do with the way your brain is wired.

I have been tasting some substances I touch all my life, especially from hand lotions and metallic lubricants like motor oil. I found this thread when searching to find information on the taste I get when touching laundry detergent pods, it is the same taste regardless of which brand.

I thought it was because there is some type of solvent like DMSO that delivers the taste, and I'm a "supertaster" so sensitve to it. I didn't know about synesthesia until I saw a 60 minutes segment on it last year and that makes sense it could be a form of that as noted in prior posts.

Very strange, no? It's something I am only experiencing recently for the first time. Strangest thing is it's accurate - the sensation I get in my mouth when I have a substance on my hands is exactly the sensation I'd have if it were literally in my mouth!

There is an article of a woman capable of "seeing" colors through her fingers...search in google "seeing color with the fingers by Albert Rosenfeld"

I have the same condition and believe it or not, it has actually saved my life. I have touched poisonous substances without realizing it and soon tasted it in my mouth. I hate hand lotions as well because I can taste them soon after applying. I wash my hands A LOT! LOL!

I have this ability as well. I have also done some research on this ability. One way to make sure you are actually tasting things with your hands, versus just re-experiencing the taste of something you are holding in your hands, is to have someone you trust blindfold you and rub different liquids into your hands and see if you can still taste them. If you cannot still taste them then this becomes an entirely different, and much more mundane, phenomenon. That having been said, there is hope for those with this gift. With enough focus, and the right mental discipline, you can actually turn this ability off. Unfortunately, I have only achieved partial success in this, so I do not know if it is possible to have complete control.