In , researchers used a histamine injection to make the legs of their non-human primates itch while an electrode monitored what happened inside their spinothalamic tracts. As soon as the histamine was injected, those neurons began to fire, and fast. When the researchers offered up a few scratches, those neurons slowed their fire.
Their electrodes told them that scratching does its work in the spinal cord rather than in the brain. Indeed, there is no "itch centre" in the brain. Scratching may have helped our ancestors rid their bodies of annoying, irritating insects Credit: iStock. Are you getting itchy yet? Physicians say that they start feeling itchy after treating patients for scabies. And researchers once gave a lecture on itching just to see if they could get their audience to feel itchy, and it worked.
Hidden cameras revealed that the audience spent a lot more time scratching themselves during that lecture than during a talk on a more innocuous subject. Contagious itching has even been seen in monkeys , hinting at the tantalising possibility that there could be an evolutionary advantage to scratching ourselves when we watch others scratching themselves.
And while this makes back scratches from a loved one quite enjoyable, it can also lead to serious problems for those with chronic itching-related diseases. Patients with eczema have reported that they scratch not until the itch has subsided, but rather until it no longer feels good to scratch.
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These include: Chemicals for immune response histamines and pain relief opiods Neuropeptides, which include pain-regulating messengers released within the brain, such as endorphins The neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin Prostaglandins, which are lipids that, among other functions, create the sensation of pain in spinal nerve cells Stimulation by any of these agents is typically related to inflammation, dryness or other damage to the skin, mucous membranes or conjunctiva of the eye.
Of course, sometimes when you scratch an itch, you only exacerbate the need to itch due to the inflammation from scratching and the potential of creating new wounds on your skin.
With more inflammation comes more itching. Here, a few go-to home remedies and over-the-counter solutions for some of the most common itch triggers from the pros:. For dry skin: Avoid over-soaping itch-prone areas like your legs and lather up with a gentle moisturizing lotion , like this one from CeraVe.
For bug bites and other localized itching: Get rid of the source as in, treat your dog for fleas or ditch your new detergent and then try OTC solutions like 1 percent hydrocortisone anti-itch cream or calamine lotion for spot treatment. For stress-induced itching: If you think your mental health could be at the root of your relentless itch, head to your doc for a proper ID.
Along with stress management , medications for anxiety and depression could help relieve your itching. Call your doctor or dermatologist for help, says Dr. Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention.
To stop the constant need to scratch your scalp, back, or any other area of your body, you need to know why you get itchy in the first place. Various cell types, proteins, and inflammatory mediators are involved.
When this happens, local inflammation from cell signaling occurs, and chemicals like histamine and kinins are released. Hives, irritants, or contact exposures on the skin can lead to a somewhat similar phenomenon as dry skin.
Palm says this includes information about any:. Sounds frustrating, right? Well, the good news is there are plenty of ways to stop scratching an itch. If you know the source of the itch, choosing the right remedy can help speed up the healing process.
If skin is dry, Palm says restoring the skin barrier with therapeutic moisturizers is extremely important and can provide fairly quick relief. And if skin is inflamed, Palm says a topical corticosteroid or calcineurin inhibitor may be in order. Antihistamines are another popular option to relieve itching related to allergies and other skin conditions, such as hives.
You can also use Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton, but proceed with caution. These products can cause drowsiness.
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