A dermatologist explained what makes a paper cut so unpleasant
Dermatologist Hayley Goldbach: a paper cut is the most painful because it affects the nociceptors in the fingers, but is not deep enough to trigger blood clotting.
Dermatologist Hayley Goldbach: a paper cut is the most painful because it affects the nociceptors in the fingers, but is not deep enough to trigger blood clotting.
A finger cut by the sharp edge of paper is one of the most painful and slowest to heal. And researchers know why. Dr. Hayley Goldbach, a dermatologist at the University of California, states: nerve endings are particularly concentrated in places directly important for movement and sensation (lips, fingertips). These nerve endings are known as nociceptors, and they send signals to the brain about things that can cause skin damage (extremely high or low temperatures, chemicals).
This explains why cuts on the hands cause so much pain. There is another reason: cuts on the fingers heal slowly and are constantly irritated, since people actively use their hands. It is difficult to isolate the wound. Moreover, a sheet of paper combines an extremely sharp yet jagged edge. The result is an uneven cut.
In addition, paper is made from wood and various fibers that can get into the wound itself, interfering with healing. According to the dermatologist, if the wound is deep, the body begins to form blood clots that stop the bleeding, and then a protective scab forms on top. With paper cuts, this does not happen. Such cuts are deep enough to affect the receptors, but not deep enough to trigger the blood clotting mechanism. This means the skin needs more time to replace the damaged area with new cells.
Book a visit — we will pick a convenient time.