Need to follow my own advise!

We’ve all been there: slicing vegetables or handling paper when—ouch!—a sharp edge catches your skin. A cut on the finger is more than a minor inconvenience; it’s a reminder of the incredible capabilities of the human body. Though the pain might make us wince, what happens next is nothing short of miraculous: the body begins to heal itself almost instantly.

The other day I was in a hurry to clean up the kitchen and decided to tackle the mason jar with dried sourdough starter … oh my! After soaking it in boiling hot water and then attacking it with a good grip on the bottom and intently scrubbing the inside of the jar with a scrubby, I felt an intense pain in my left hand! At first it didn’t register – and then all of the sudden the bottom of the jar was separated and my left hand was holding it separately from the top of the jar! My hand was dripping with bright crimson blood. After holding a towel on the cuts until the bleeding stopped a bit, I realized that I had cut through both my last 2 fingers – probably severing the nerve on my left hand ring finger. Boy did it hurt! I had to breathe deeply for at least 15 minutes. NOW WHAT? Do I go to ER? Dr.? or patch it up myself. Yep…opted for the latter.

Now the scientific info:

The Immediate Response: Stopping the Bleed

When the skin is broken, the body’s first priority is to minimize blood loss. Blood vessels near the cut constrict, slowing the flow of blood. Platelets, tiny cell fragments in the blood, rush to the site and stick together, forming a plug. This is the start of clotting, a process that not only prevents further bleeding but also creates a protective barrier against bacteria and debris.

Within minutes, a mesh of fibrin—a protein essential for clotting—reinforces the platelet plug, creating a scab. This temporary shield is like a natural Band-Aid, safeguarding the wound while the body focuses on deeper repairs.

Cleaning and Defending

As the clot forms, the immune system kicks into high gear. White blood cells, particularly neutrophils, arrive at the scene to clean up the area. These cells destroy any harmful bacteria that may have entered through the cut and remove damaged tissue.

This immune response also triggers inflammation, which might cause redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound. While it may seem like a setback, inflammation is a crucial part of healing, as it ensures that the area is thoroughly cleaned and primed for repair.

Rebuilding: The Skin’s Restoration

Once the area is clean, the body starts to rebuild. Fibroblasts, specialized cells, begin producing collagen, a protein that acts as scaffolding for new tissue. As collagen fills the gap left by the cut, new skin cells (keratinocytes) migrate from the edges of the wound to cover the surface.

Over the next few days, tiny blood vessels grow into the area, providing nutrients and oxygen to support the healing process. This phase, known as proliferation, is where the body repairs the damaged skin and strengthens the area with new tissue.

The Final Touch: Remodeling

Even after the wound looks healed on the outside, the body continues to work behind the scenes. During the remodeling phase, which can last weeks or even months, the newly formed tissue is refined and strengthened. The collagen fibers are reorganized, making the skin more durable, though it may never be as strong as it was before the injury.

In many cases, a faint scar might remain, a subtle reminder of the body’s extraordinary ability to repair itself.

Supporting Your Body’s Healing

While the body is remarkably efficient, there are steps you can take to support the healing process:

• Clean the wound: Gently rinse the cut with clean water to remove dirt and reduce the risk of infection.
• Protect the area: Use an adhesive bandage or dressing to keep the wound covered and protected.
• Avoid picking the scab: It may be tempting, but letting the scab stay in place allows healing to proceed naturally.
• Eat well: A balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, especially Vitamin C and Zinc, can support tissue repair.

What >I< did:

• Cleaned the wound and pressed a dish towel tightly around the two fingers that were bleeding.
• Immediately put Lavendar Essential Oil all over the cuts to stop the pain.
• Prepared a dressing of DMSO, Aloe Vera Gel (from my own plant), Frankincense Essential Oil making it a paste and smeared it all over my fingers. When dry it was like a bandage.
• I then covered it with bandaids.
• It’s been 4 days…my ring finger is still totally numb, but according to google it will heal eventually. But boy it’s excruciating pain when moved wrong.

A Daily Miracle

Though a small cut on the finger might seem insignificant, it’s a powerful reminder of the body’s ability to heal itself. Each layer of the healing process—from clotting to tissue repair—is orchestrated with precision, showcasing the resilience and ingenuity of human biology.

So the next time you accidentally nick your finger, take a moment to marvel at the incredible mechanisms working behind the scenes to make you whole again.

And each time it screeches in pain, I try to remember that God made our bodies to HEAL THEMSELVES! So as I pray for my finger to regain it’s feeling, I am also thanking God for healing the rest of my tired ole body as well!

“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord”