$Unique_ID{BRK01655}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What is an Itch and Why Does Scratching Make it Go Away?}
$Subject{itch scratching Ill Defined Symptoms Symptom skin scratch nerves
itching itchy itches scratches scratchy behavior behaviors}
$Volume{N-20,L-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is an Itch and Why Does Scratching Make it Go Away?


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QUESTION:  I found myself scratching away at an annoying, but not too serious
itch, that sprang out of nowhere.  I didn't want to damage the skin, so I
decided not to give in to my instinct.  I could not help myself.  Then I
noticed my dog scratching away at his itch.  So I began to wonder, what is an
itch?  Where does it come from, and why does scratching make it go away?  It
sounded interesting enough to submit it to you for an answer.  An itch is a
strange thing.

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ANSWER:  It may seem strange, but to people who suffer intense itching, it
certainly isn't funny.  Actually an itch is a little pain.  It comes when a
nerve that can carry pain is only slightly stimulated.  The itch results from
something stimulating the outer layers of our skin, while pain usually results
when the deeper layers of skin are affected.  And an itch can be caused by
psychological factors.  You may scratch when you see someone else doing it, or
when you think about little things crawling over your skin.  (There you go, I
caught you scratching!)  When you do scratch you set up a more intense
stimulation to the nerves, which over rides the sensation of itching and makes
you feel better.  And you are right.  If you scratch too long or hard, you can
damage the skin, opening scratches that can result in infections.  While the
act of scratching may seem instinctive, it probably is a learned behavior.
When we scratch it feels better, and so we repeat the gesture at the next
"itchy" impulse.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.