Why Do We Not Feel Pain When We Cut Hair and Nails?
The human body is made of different types of tissues. These tissues form organs and organs form an organ system. All these systems work together to constitute a human body. Two of the important body parts are nails and hair. These are made of special tissues. We don’t feel anything when we cut our nails and hair. Let us find out the reason behind it.
What are Nails?
Nails are the plate-like hard structures present on the fingers and toes of a human body. The nails remain attached to the surface of fingers and toes and go deep inside the groove under the skin at their bases.
Nails grow with time and provide strength to our fingers and toes. They provide protection to the sensitive tips of the toes and fingers. When we use our fingers to hold or pick something, nails provide strength and protection from injuries. Similarly, when we stand, run, or walk, the nails in the toes provide support and protection and help us to balance.
Nails in Our Fingers
What is Hair?
Hair is a strand or filament made of keratin, a strong and tough protein. Hair protects our head from heat and keeps the brain cool during the daytime. It also protects the skull from injuries by acting as a cushion.
Hair grows with time from its base. There is a bulb-like structure forming a hair follicle. It helps in anchoring the hair strand with our scalp. There is hair in other parts of the human body. Body hair helps us to insulate and preserve body heat.
A Girl Brushing Her Hair
Why Don't We Feel Pain when We Cut Our Hair and Nails?
The process by which nails and hair grow is called keratinisation. Both these tissues are made of keratin, a strong protein. Hair grows from its follicle. Similarly, a nail grows from its base present deep down in the groove in a finger or a toe.
The cells formed at the base of nails and hair are dead. They do not have life and are not connected to any nerve ending in our skin. This is why we don’t feel pain when we cut our hair and nails.
When hair is pulled, the follicles break from the base causing pain as they are connected to nerve endings. Similarly, when a nail is pulled, we feel pain but not when it is cut. This is why when we cut hair and nails, we don’t feel a thing!
Tips for Parents
Explaining the lifelessness of hair and nails can be a difficult thing if you don’t use pictures and examples. Live examples can work too. Cutting hair and nails and explaining scientific facts will help kids understand easily. They will also realise why cuts and bruises hurt but cutting nails and hair don’t.
FAQs on Why Does it Not Hurt When We Cut Our Nails or Hair?
1. Why does it not hurt when we cut our nails or hair?
It does not hurt because the parts of our nails and hair that we trim are made of dead cells. These dead cells do not have any nerves to send pain signals to the brain or blood vessels that would cause bleeding.
2. What are our hair and nails made of?
Our hair and nails are primarily made of a tough, protective protein called keratin. The part that we see and cut is formed from old, hardened cells that are no longer alive.
3. Why does it hurt if I cut the skin around my nails but not the nail itself?
Your skin is very different from your nails. It is a living organ filled with:
- Nerves: These send pain signals to your brain.
- Blood Vessels: These carry blood and cause bleeding when cut.
4. If hair and nails are dead, how do they keep growing?
This is an excellent question that explains how our body works. Hair and nails grow from their roots, which are located under the skin. These roots are made of living cells that continuously divide and create new cells. As new cells form, they push the older, dead cells outwards, making your hair and nails appear longer.
5. What is the importance of trimming our nails regularly?
Trimming our nails is a very important hygiene practice. Long nails can easily trap dirt and germs from things we touch. Keeping nails short and clean helps prevent these germs from spreading to our mouth or food, which keeps us healthy and safe from infections.
6. Can we feel anything through our hair? For example, when someone pulls it?
You cannot feel anything with the hair shaft itself, but you can feel when it's moved or pulled. This is because the base of each hair, the follicle, is connected to nerve endings in your skin. When your hair is pulled, it stimulates these nerves, which is why you feel the sensation or pain.
7. What would happen if our nails and hair did have nerves?
If our nails and hair had nerves, everyday activities would be very painful. Every haircut would hurt, and trimming your nails would feel the same as cutting your skin. Our bodies are smartly designed so these protective parts can be maintained without causing us any pain.
