WebMD 1:01: How Does a Cut Heal?
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Leah
People are always getting cuts. You can even get a cut from a piece of paper. Noah
Don't I know it. My aunt almost died in a horrible origami accident. Leah
Well, lucky for her and the billions of others who practice the ancient art of paper folding, our body has an amazingly organized ability to heal a cut. Noah
And it starts within seconds of the cut happening. Leah
When your skin is cut, scraped, or punctured, the damaged blood vessel sends out a signal to the platelet blood cells. Noah
Platelets race to the cut and clump together, forming a clot, preventing further blood loss. These clots turn into scabs as they dry. Leah
Once the wound is clotted, blood vessels open a bit to allow fresh nutrients and oxygen into the wound for healing. And white blood cells join in to fight infection. Noah
It's all hands on deck as more blood cells, including oxygen-rich red blood cells, arrive to help build new tissue and begin the repair process. Leah
The tissue strengthens over time. And within three months, the healed wound is almost as strong as it was before. Such an amazing process. Noah
If our body wasn't capable of this healing, my aunt and millions of others would never be able to origami again. Leah
So the next time you see a tiny piece of paper folded into the shape of a crane, you can thank your platelets and red and white blood cells. Noah
Arigato, red and white blood cells. Leah
There's nothing there.