Why do paper cuts hurt so much?The microscopic reason fingertips suffer more

From the show

Science Around You

Your fingertips contain the body's highest density of nerve endings, turning small injuries into major alarms. A microscopic look reveals that paper edges act like jagged saws rather than smooth blades, causing messy tears in the skin. Because these shallow wounds rarely bleed enough to clot, nerves remain exposed to the air, prompting the brain's sensory cortex to amplify the pain signal to protect your hands.