Paper cut

Paper Cut

A close-up of a paper cut on a thumb

A paper cut is a common type of minor injury that occurs when a piece of paper or other thin, sharp material slices a person's skin. Despite being a minor injury, paper cuts can be surprisingly painful due to the density of nerve endings in the fingertips and the thinness of the cut, which can irritate the nerves more than a deeper cut might.

Causes

Paper cuts typically occur when a person handles paper carelessly or quickly, such as when flipping through pages or handling stacks of paper. The edges of paper can be sharp enough to cut the skin, especially if the paper is thick or if the edge is particularly crisp. The most common areas affected by paper cuts are the fingers and hands, as these are the parts of the body most frequently used to handle paper.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of a paper cut is a sharp, stinging pain at the site of the cut. This pain is often disproportionate to the size of the injury due to the high concentration of nerve endings in the skin of the fingers. The cut may also bleed slightly and can be accompanied by redness and swelling.

Treatment

Most paper cuts heal on their own without the need for medical treatment. However, to prevent infection, it is important to clean the cut with soap and water and to apply an antiseptic if available. Covering the cut with a bandage can help protect it from further irritation and contamination. If a paper cut becomes infected, it may require medical attention.

Prevention

To prevent paper cuts, individuals can take several precautions:

• Handle paper carefully and slowly.
• Use paper clips or staples to hold papers together instead of fingers.
• Wear gloves when handling large amounts of paper.
• Use a letter opener instead of fingers to open envelopes.

Related pages

• Cut (wound)
• First aid
• Skin
• Pain