Cuts caused by a piece of paper are due to its thin and sharp edges exerting high pressure on a small area of the skin, thus cutting through the superficial layers of the epidermis. Additionally, the lack of fat on areas such as the fingertips makes these cuts more painful as they are closer to nerve endings.
A sheet of paper may appear smooth, but in truth, its edges are a genuine series of microscopic saw teeth. It is this irregular structure, almost invisible to the naked eye, that makes paper sharp. Moreover, paper is primarily made up of cellulose fibers that are tightly pressed and dried, giving it a certain rigidity. As a result, when the sheet quickly glides over the skin, these tiny rigid fibers act like small blades, particularly effective at cutting the delicate surface of our skin. These micro-cracks inflicted on the epidermis may seem harmless but cause surprisingly precise cuts.
A sheet of paper seems thin and flexible, but viewed under a microscope, its edge shows an irregular surface, almost serrated. When the sheet glides over your skin, these tiny roughnesses actually act like many small invisible blades. With the right speed and a certain angle, the paper exerts enough pressure to penetrate your skin, which is quite resistant, thanks to these very fine micro-teeth. And since these cuts often occur on the fingers, where your skin is particularly thin and rich in nerve endings, the immediate and intense pain effect is guaranteed.
These superficial wounds directly affect the nerve endings, which are abundant on the surface of the skin. These highly sensitive nerves quickly send a sharp pain signal to the brain. Additionally, paper cuts hardly bleed, leaving these nerves exposed to the air, which further amplifies the painful sensation. The superficial wound keeps these nerve endings exposed without protection, so contact with air or external substances causes this particularly intense and unpleasant feeling.
Dry skin facilitates small cuts, as it lacks elasticity and cracks more easily. When handling paper quickly or carelessly, the risks also increase. The edge of the paper matters: a new, sharp paper cuts more effectively than a crumpled or old sheet. The thinness of certain papers also influences this: the thinner and stiffer it is, the more easily it penetrates the skin. Finally, handling a lot of paper daily, as in certain administrative jobs, clearly exacerbates these unpleasant little accidents.
To avoid this kind of silly but annoying accident, adopt a few simple gestures: handle the sheets carefully by avoiding sudden or quick movements, and regularly hydrate your hands to prevent dryness, as dry skin is more vulnerable to cuts. If you do get caught despite everything, immediately clean the wound with water and mild soap to remove dirt and unwanted bacteria. Then dry it well, and apply a gentle disinfectant that stings as little as possible. Finally, protect your cut with a small discreet bandage and change it regularly until it is completely healed to prevent infection or unnecessary reopening.
The pain experienced from a paper cut is intensified by the fact that these superficial injuries expose highly sensitive nerve endings located close to the surface of the skin.
Recycled paper often has a slightly rougher surface than standard paper, which increases the potential for small, unpleasant cuts.
Cuts from paper often heal slowly because, even though they appear superficial, these wounds tend to remain open and exposed to the air, leading to prolonged irritation and discomfort.
Lightly humidifying your fingers before handling large amounts of paper can significantly reduce your risk of cuts, as this decreases friction and provides better grip.
First, gently clean the cut with soapy water, then disinfect it with a mild antiseptic. You can also apply a healing cream to speed up the healing process, and finally protect it with an adhesive bandage if necessary.
Not necessarily. However, some recycled papers, due to their manufacturing process, may have irregular edges or be stiffer, slightly increasing the likelihood of cuts.
Yes, even if these small cuts seem harmless, they can become an entry point for bacteria. Remember to regularly disinfect any cut, no matter how superficial it may be.
Rounded-edge or slightly textured papers generally offer more security. Similarly, choosing a paper with a higher weight, and therefore thicker, reduces the risk of cuts.
Often thin and superficial, these cuts quickly expose nerve endings to the open air, making the sensation of pain more acute and persistent.
This mainly depends on the rigidity, thickness, and natural sharpness of the edges of the sheet. Glossy paper, for instance, which is very thin and stiff, tends to be sharper, whereas thicker and softer paper is generally less so.
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