Why is a tiny cut hurting so much?

[Eachpeachpears]

In my stupidity in the rush of prepping dinner before the school run, I've managed to stab the base of my hand with a steak knife.
The cut itself is all of about 1.5cm and is no longer bleeding but oh my gosh why is it hurting so much? My whole arm is throbbing and I can't grip anything. The pain is intense around the cut itself then my whole hand aches.
Stupid question but when will it stop?!
Note to self, don't use a steak knife to try and cut the tin foil!

From experience (don't ask) that's a very sore place to accidentally stab yourself. Lots of nerves and tendons there.

Because of where the injury is, I'd be inclined to get that looked at or at least ring 111 (is that the number? Sorry, I'm outside the UK so not sure) to see what they say.

I am wondering if your wound might be infected? Is your hand/arm hot, red, swollen? In your position, I would go to the nearest NHS walk-in centre or A&E asap, based on the reported pain alone.

If you can't grip I think it needs looking at op

It doesn't seem infected no swelling or redness, just so bloody sore and tingling and weakness in my hand

Definitely ring 111 - that sounds like you could have damaged a tendon

Hit a nerve with the knife? It might need looking at. Take some pain relief and give it a while to see if it gets any better.

Base of hand is carpal tunnel area, I had the op on that and it was excruciatingly painful if I knocked it for weeks afterwards.

I got stung there (or bitten. I didn't see!) two summers ago and it felt like it was on fire for about two months. Doctors and occupational therapy (also not in U.K.) agreed that it was probably due to nerve damage - apparently a common problem in that spot. I think you should try to get it checked out.

Thanks all. The general area is still very sore but I can grip with it now and the tingling has stopped. .. continued for a good few hours after the incident though. It's heavily strapped to help the pain!