Paper cuts: why they hurt so much and what helps
A tiny wound with disproportionate pain. There is a reason for that, and a sensible way to deal with it.
Fingertips carry one of the highest densities of nerve endings in the body, so a shallow cut there produces pain out of all proportion to the damage. The cut also sits in skin that bends constantly, which keeps reopening it.
What to do
- Rinse under cool running water to flush out any fibres.
- Press with a clean gauze swab until bleeding stops — usually under a minute.
- Dry the surrounding skin properly.
- Cover with a small dressing. A 6 × 7cm size suits a fingertip.
Why covering helps more than you expect
Left open, a finger cut dries out, cracks with every bend and takes far longer to close. Covered, it stays at the right moisture level and the edges stay together. Change it daily.
Avoid
Antiseptic liquids in the cut, superglue, and putting it in your mouth. All three either irritate the tissue that needs to repair or introduce bacteria.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
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FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.