Is it true that scratching tears up your skin bad?

Question

I saw a commercial for some cream on T.V and it showed a woman scratching her arm and an animated view of how that tears up your skin. Does this realy happen or are they just trying to sell more of their product?

Answer 1

Scratching does have an effect on the way the surface skin cells lay. (These cells are dead, by the way) I've never seen the commercial you refer to but prolonged and vigorous scratching can cause excoriation of the skin. Cell layers can be removed causing bleeding and in some people uncontrolled scratching can remove the epidermis. Most of us don't do this kind of scratching and so the commercial was a little exaggerated.

Answer 2

Well, I imagine it does do "some" damage, but only if you continue to scratch for an extended period of time, like a mosquito bite or something. When we scratch, it temporarily quiets/stops the nerves in that area, which is why we must scratch again. I would say that yes, this is commericals trying to get us to buy their product

Answer 3

It's true. You can actually get infections in your skin after scratching because it creates miniscule open wounds in the skin. I have a scar from having it happen to me.

Answer 4

It does tear up your skin, but it only really messes up your skin if you scratch hard

Answer 5

scratching creates miniscule tears on the skin surface but thanks to our body's wonderful keratinized topmost skin layer, great damage is prevented from actually occuring.

but take note that if you scratch your skin given that you have other wounds present on it, this may cause permanent skin damage. these wounds weaken your skin thus upon scratching, it may leave a permanent mark.

Answer 6

if you have a bad itch and you scratch it enough to bleed, then ofcourse you are tearing your skin.

Answer 7

How can tears come from out of your skin? do you mean sweat?? idk..lol

Answer 8

i saw it too