What is an 'itch', why do we have them and why do they go away when we scratch?

Answer 1

Itching is the result of a chemical called histamine released from specialized mast cells found in many places including the skin. Histamine is a chemical that attaches to nerve receptors, resulting in the transmission of a signal recognized as pain or irritation. Histamine also causes the characteristic redness with a cut or bug bite.

How scratching helps may be explained by the Gated Theory of Pain Transmission. This theory states that scratching or rubbing a painful area blocks the nerve transmissions to the brain.

Answer 2

The same thing applies to people e.g kids when they want attention they bug you, give them the attention they want and they go away. An itch is almost like an area of ur skin wanting attention, when u scratch ur giving it attention. When it is satisfied it goes away....only to come back somewhere else later!!

Answer 3

An itch occurs when a hair folicle comes lose, scratching eases the hair out, thats why it feels better. Also skin reactions & allergies cause itching, it's your bodies way of easing discomfort.

Answer 4

There's a theory that scratching causes a slight amount of pain which distracts from the itch itself.

Answer 5

Good question!!! I'm going to say that we itch bucz our hair molecules are moved in a light intensed motion that causes a sensitivity to the skin that causes us itch and when we scratch it puts the hair molecules back at rest and relaxes the sensitivity feeling

Answer 6

Irritation to nerve endings causes itching.

Answer 7

Itch: skin irritation.
Scratch: what we do to alleviate the irritation.

Try teaching that to a young child. "Mommy, I have A itch so can you itch it for me?" I guess it's only cute when you hear it. :o)

Answer 8

Bug bites

Answer 9

I dont know, but maybe you should bathe more often.

Answer 10

interesting....