Why does a paper cut hurt so much?
Tiny Ninja Attack
Why does a paper cut hurt so much?
You slice open an envelope and — OW! A paper cut on your fingertip. It's barely visible, no blood to speak of, yet it stings like you've been stabbed by a tiny, furious ninja. How does something so small hurt so ridiculously much?
The secret is hiding in your fingertips. Your fingers are packed with more nerve endings than almost anywhere else on your body — about 3,000 per square inch. These nerves are your touch detectives: they report textures, temperatures, and (unfortunately) pain. A paper cut slices right through a crowded neighborhood of them.
