Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: neilep on 16/05/2004 20:12:54

Title: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: neilep on 16/05/2004 20:12:54

Is it my imagination or do paper cuts hurt more than the average cut ?...and if so why so ?....Presumably there's a scientific reason for this ?

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: Rokitansky on 16/05/2004 21:08:47

I think it depends of the surface it is hurt. If you ***** yourself with a needle, it is less painfull. But if you cut yourself on a knife, I guess it is as painfull  as if it is a peace of paper.

When I was a kid, I cut myself on a piece of the grass. I hated it.[:(!]

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: Ultima on 17/05/2004 00:47:22

You also nearly always get paper cuts on your fingers which are sensitive, and also constantly in use so the cut gets jostled and takes longer to seal.

wOw the world spins?

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: qpan on 17/05/2004 01:21:13

If you cut yourself with a knife, it hurts quite a bit. But papercut pain usually lasts longer than when you cut yourself with a knife, mainly due to the fact that there is very little blood to seal the wound and also the fact that the cut is right on the most sensitive part of your fingers- just under the skin!

"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."
-Edgar Allan Poe

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: neilep on 17/05/2004 18:35:15

Thanks very much for all your answers !!..I shall be very careful next time I'm making a paper plane for my son....and yes the cut is on my finger....feels a lot better now though...cheers

Neil


'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finstagiber.net%2Fsmiliesdotcom%2Fcwm%2Fcwm%2Frcain.gif&hash=32ae7f4f03d740b017b01cda28addd79)

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: MayoFlyFarmer on 18/05/2004 06:25:35

actually I think the reason paper cust hurt so much (compared with other cuts) is due to the imperfection of the edge of a piece of paper.  It acts as a serraded edge even thouigh it looks smooth to the eye.  If you want a more exagerated example to illustrate the point, try cutting yourself with an extremely sharp knife, then try a serrated blade (or, even more drastic, a saw blade)  
(***disclaimer.... we are all smart in here, I do not hold myself resopnisble for any injury or death incurred as a result of this post!***)

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: neilep on 18/05/2004 11:53:22

Ok...I just chopped my hand off with a sharp knife and you're right Justy, it' don't hurt that much....trouble is I can't use the paper to slice off the other hand , cos I've got nothing to hold it with....DOH !!!!!

(***Disclaimer....cutting off your own hands can seriously affect the way you play the piano and other things too***)(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.world-of-smilies.de%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Fkrank%2F17.gif&hash=899520fd03343414d222995a87f068c7)

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finstagiber.net%2Fsmiliesdotcom%2Fcwm%2Fcwm%2Frcain.gif&hash=32ae7f4f03d740b017b01cda28addd79)

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: tweener on 18/05/2004 19:36:17

I just about cut my thumb off with a saw once. I can personally attest that it hurt worse than a cut with a knife.  I've never tried cutting a limb off with paper though.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

Title: Re: Why do paper cuts hurt so much ?
Post by: neilep on 18/05/2004 20:51:36

The wonders of Superglue eh ?...I managed to re-attach my hand and it's all better now.....yes I suppose using paper to severe a limb would be quite diff....but, who knows what the future of paper technology holds eh ?

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'  (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finstagiber.net%2Fsmiliesdotcom%2Fcwm%2Fcwm%2Frcain.gif&hash=32ae7f4f03d740b017b01cda28addd79)