That old saying, "you hit a nerve" may have to go out the proverbial window.
A researcher at the University of Cincinnati has proved something called Merkel cells are what actually allow us to sense touch.
Pain researcher Jianguo Gu made the discovery by studying hair follicles in rat whiskers.
The results could help doctors treat or prevent diabetes, fibromyalgia and certain pathological conditions.
The study's findings are published in the April 15 edition of the scientific journal, Cell.