Scratch those Itches Goodbye
Have you ever wondered why scratching an itch makes the itch go away? In fact, what is an itch? A new study shows why itching gets rid of scratching. this could actually help people who have severe scratching disorders. Before I let you in on this new discovery, I will explain what an itch is first.
An itch is when the cells in your skin release a chemical called histamine. Sensory neurons respond to the histamine and bring the itch up to the spinal cor where it is relayed to other neurons (in the thalamus). From the thalamus, it travels to the cerebral cortex which interprets the message and sends the sensation to the location. Now onto the interesting information...
A study from the University of Michigan says that when someone scratches, it turns off activity in the spinal cord (interfering the message to the brain). The scientists aren't quite sure as to how this interference works just yet.
Hopefully this can help many people in the future, once more work is done to find how to inhibit the itch from traveling. There are 2.6 million people in the U.S. who have eczema that could be helped with this. There was actually one case where a woman had a disorder and while sleeping scratched right through her skull. Along with humans, this can help your pets too!
Although this is no cure to cancer, this is a big step in the right direction to solving more problems that humans face. Itching may not sound horrible, but it can be, and it can be uncomfortable to a lot of people and cause other illnesses. Think about it, chicken pox or poison ivy with no itching? And how many of you scratched an itch while reading this blog?
Posted by Alyson Paige (C)
Update:
I never explained itches caused by irritants, such as a feather for instance. When a feather touched your skin, it may not irritate you at first. Once it moves it will irritate the skin (the dermis-top layer). This will be picked up by the receptors and will send a signal through the fibers of your skin, to the spinal cord, and to the cerebral cortex. these fibers are the same fibers that also deal with pain. This is why when you scratch, the itch goes away because the pain will take priority and the is the new stimulus. Even is scratching does not remove the feather or whatever is making you itch, the pain will be more prevalent.
posted by PWH @ 11:16 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
This is such a good idea. I am one of those people that suffer with eczema and it can get extremely uncomfortable at times. Sometimes things get to itchy so you scratch, and the more you scratch the worse it gets! You're absolutely right, Alyson, this could help so many people with their problems!
Crystal Cabral
Itches have always been a mystery to me. They just make no sense. Now this gives me some information about it, even though I still dont know why a cell would release histamine in the first place. Is it malfunctioning or is it a normal event for some cells?
-Calin Darabus
I am definitely more itchy and more aware of itches while I'm reading this then i was before. I hate itching but it's not a big problem for me, i do hope that this progress can help others who are pained by itching. It's not something that you give a lot of thought to unless it affects you, thanks for making me more aware.
Samantha DeBiasio
I am so glad you did this blog. I have always wondered what exactly an itch is. Especially when there is not something obvious like a bite from a bug. Like just that random itch you get on the bottom of your foot for no apparent reason. Very interesting.
Emily Bell
Hey,
I have never really thought of what an itch is exactly so I enjoyed reading your blog. This discovery could be really great and actually reveal things that may be useful into understanding how the body works and thus other diseases. I hope this progress helps others who suffer from eczema and are constantly bothered by ithches. I wouldn't want to be in a position where I m constantly pained by them. Great blog.
Saad Choudhry
That's really interesting. I've heard before that we may have evolved the itching sensation to keep bugs off us. How could they use this discovery to help people with eczema?
Jane de Verges
Very good topic! I never knew what an itch was on a molecular level. And I had no idea someone even scratched through their skull! Totally cringed when I read that.
-Katie Cyr
Great job explaining a complicated process! I always wondered what actually is causing annoying itches. TO add a monkey wrench to their research there are people with a "disease" commonly called dermatographism where scratching is what causes the release of histamines in the skin. It's also referred to as body art because people will scratch themselves to make the bumps that form a drawing.
-Nick Cline
Post a Comment
<< Home