Why do we itch?

When the skin is itchy, it irritates the brain, causing us to scratch, even when we sleep. But the mechanism behind these irritating itching is not well understood, and a new finding has made the problem even more complicated.

One of the worst culprits of pruritus is dermatitis - a condition caused by anything like detergent or gold, which causes skin irritation. In the US, 6.4 million people suffer from dermatitis and have to go to the clinic every year.

"Quality of life suffers from itching as much as pain," said Martin Schmelz, a neuroscientist at the University of Mannheim in Germany. "However, patients will get more sympathy when they have pain than itching."

Histamine, a protein made from an allergic reaction, controls some nerves to communicate to the brain. The brain region activated when itching is similar to the area of ​​the brain when we are in pain. In this case, antihistamines will work. However, histamine is not the only chemical in the body that causes irritating itching.

Recently, Schmelz has found the existence of nerves that cause an itchy feeling in a way different from histamine-sensitive nerves. "It is evidence that not only is there a type of nervous system related to itching," Schmelz said.

Behind the itch

Pruritus is a symptom of many conditions. Reactions to plants, animals and metals all create an unpleasant sensation. Weather also plays a role, along with bacteria, disease and parasites. Stress also increases itching.

Here are some things that make us itchy:

- Mosquitoes, bed bugs, lice
- Poisonous oak tree, nettles
- Dry skin
- Jewelry
- Herpes
- Stress and anxiety
- Staph infections
- Psoriasis
- Sun burn
- Soap and detergents

According to the American Medical Association, people often abuse soap. Normally just normal hand sanitizer or water is not enough to keep skin clean.

In 1660, Samuel Hafenreffer gave the first definition of itching - "an unpleasant feeling of craving." Scratching can be a quick cure but can also make the situation worse. Excessive scratching can cause bleeding and infection.

But why scratching makes us comfortable? Scientists believe that scratching can trigger some nerves to stimulate feelings of satisfaction in the brain.

MT