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2006-07-02 02:04:59 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The white marks are accumalated dead skin cells that are "scraped off" when we scratch. Alot of it ends up underneath our fingernails, but some is left on the skin. They appear white because they are dry and are no longer attached to the dermis. If you scrape the surface of a candle, even a dark one, the wax is much lighter in shade. Regular exfoliation keeps these dead, dry cells removed, preventing our skin from appearing "ashy" , which is definently more noticable on darker complexions than light.
2006-07-02 02:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by arieswitchmommy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are scratching the blood away from that part of your skin. After your done, it should go back to normal. If not you need some more lotion on your skin because it's too dry.
2006-07-02 09:16:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because scratching takes off part of top layers of skin. The white marks are skin flakes that have been loosened.
2006-07-02 02:15:35 · answer #3 · answered by claytoriv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have small blood veins close to the surface of our skin. When we scratch or put pressure on our skin, these vessels are pushed farther down from the surface of our skin, and since blood in our veins contributes to the natural coloring of our skin, the skin appears white due to temporary lack of blood flow.
2006-07-02 03:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by kathleen m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 2 layers of skin: the dermis (underneath) and the epidermis (outer layer). The outer layer consists mostly of dead skin cells. When you scratch them, you break them up into smaller portions and they are no longer translucent, as each "piece" now reflects light. Much like smashing glass into a powder turns the transparent glass into a white powder, since each particle of glass now reflects light in all different directions.
2006-07-02 02:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by mek 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when you scratch you force the blood away from the surface of the skin. It turns white. Then it returns to normal color later.
2006-07-02 06:43:41 · answer #6 · answered by fishcatfever 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The outer layer of skin cells are dead and dry. When you scratch them you move the way the are layered, making them move visible. Drink more water, use lotion and rub not scratch when possible.
2006-07-02 02:09:25 · answer #7 · answered by elec_tro_lux 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A medical student told me once. You get the "white reaction" then the "red reaction" then it fades. There's a reason that isn't about dead skin cells, but I forget what it is...
2006-07-02 02:10:47 · answer #8 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know but my skin turns red.
2006-07-02 02:08:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's bcos u are scratching the top layer of the skin ,keratin which contains dead cells.
2006-07-03 05:24:41 · answer #10 · answered by Taichi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋