Why do paper cuts hurt?

The specialized nerve cells at our fingertips are the main cause of this pain. These nerve cells, called nociceptors, stimulate the brain against possible dangers (such as high temperature, dangerous chemicals and pressure changes) to our body. Fingertips are one of the richest parts of our body in terms of nociceptors. Therefore, even if the cut in this area is small, the number of nerve cells is high, so the pain is felt deeply.

The structure of the paper is also related to this pain. The edges of the paper are not as smooth as it actually looks. Therefore, the paper causes the skin to be cut like a tiny saw.

Since the paper cuts are not too deep, the mechanisms that cause the wound to be repaired by blood clotting in the cut region do not occur. This means that the nerve endings damaged by the paper cut remain exposed. Therefore, the wound caused by the paper cut cannot heal until the skin renews itself.