why do humans feel the urge to lick cuts/minor wounds.
In: Biology
Our saliva can numb the pain and heat sensation from burns (as any water does). Why we do it for other small wounds is probably just habitual, though it might have small benefits in cleaning a wound and it’s a ultimately still useful as a way to apply pressure, even if a finger would also do that.
Do people actually do that?
We are still just animals at the end of the day and have many associated instinctual responses. Saliva has antimicrobial properties, licking cleans the wound and clotting is promoted. There’s a reason why other mammals do the same.
Because licking a wound cleans dirt out, if it’s a burn then saliva cools the area, saliva also contains a clotting enzyme which helps stop bleeding.
It’s also diverting sensation. It’s the same as if you knock your shin, you rub it to help with the pain;your brain doesn’t want to focus on pain, pain is debilitating, so it focusses on other sensation. By licking your cut (or rubbing your leg) you’re stimulating other sensory neurones. Which help distract from the pan.
We learned this from animals IIRC. The tongue has a unique way of cleaning what our fingers can’t match.
Latest Answers