Why do we have the need to itch?!
Question: Why do we have the need to itch!?
Answers:
Itching is a way of your body telling you that something is on your skin that shouldn't be!.
When the nerves in your skin sense something crawling or biting the skin releases histamine which causes an itching sensation, making you scratch and getting rid of whatever is there, even though a lot of times what was caused the itch can be something harmless, like a hair or too small to see, like a mite!.
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When the nerves in your skin sense something crawling or biting the skin releases histamine which causes an itching sensation, making you scratch and getting rid of whatever is there, even though a lot of times what was caused the itch can be something harmless, like a hair or too small to see, like a mite!.
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Itching can be caused by many conditions!. Probably the most common cause of itch is psychological, that is, due to stress, anxiety, etc!. Stress also can aggravate itch from other causes!. Dry skin is another frequent cause of itch!. Many people also report sunburn itch following prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun!. Other causes include metabolic and endocrine disorders (for example, liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism), cancers (for example, lymphoma), reactions to drugs, and diseases of the blood (for example, polycythemia vera)!. Itching is common with allergic reactions!. Itching can also result from insect stings and bites such as from mosquito or flea bites!.
Infections and infestations of the skin are another cause of itch!. Common infectious causes of itch include a fungal infection of the crotch (tinea cruris) commonly known as jock itch, as well as vaginal itching and/or anal itching from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other types of infections!. Another type of parasitic infection resulting in itch is the so-called swimmer's itch!. Swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection with certain parasites of birds and mammals that are released from infected snails in fresh and saltwater!. Itch may also result from skin infestation by body lice, including head lice and pubic lice!. Most people who have itching, however, do not have a serious underlying condition!.
Cold applications: Because cold and itch travel along the same nerve fibers, the use of cold can "jam the circuits" and deaden itch!. Methods of applying cold include
cool water, either by running tap water over the affected area or placing a cold clean washcloth on the skin;
cool showers; and
ice packs, either the commercially available type or ice cubes in a plastic bag!.
Hot water (in the shower, for instance) feels good temporarily, but it often leaves you feeling itchier later!. Therefore, the use of hot water is not recommended!.
Anti-itch creams and lotions: Look for over-the-counter (OTC) remedies with these ingredients:
camphor,
menthol,
phenol,
pramoxine,
diphenhydramine, and
benzocaine (or one of the other "caine" anesthetics)!.
You can apply these products over and over -- every few minutes if needed!. These preparations help numb the nerve endings and stop you from a frenzy of scratching, which leaves the skin raw, sore, and even itchier!.
Although hydrocortisone-containing creams and lotions are often promoted as itch-reducers, this ingredient only helps an itch that is caused by a rash responsive to cortisone, such as eczema and seborrhea!. Since OTC hydrocortisone-containing creams and lotions are weak (even so-called "maximum-strength" products are only 1%), they aren't too helpful for itch even in responsive conditions!. When itching is caused by irritations of other sorts (insect bites, for instance), hydrocortisone doesn't help much at all!. If you use hydrocortisone for 10 days and experience no improvement, you should see a physician to help determine the cause of your itch!.
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Infections and infestations of the skin are another cause of itch!. Common infectious causes of itch include a fungal infection of the crotch (tinea cruris) commonly known as jock itch, as well as vaginal itching and/or anal itching from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other types of infections!. Another type of parasitic infection resulting in itch is the so-called swimmer's itch!. Swimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection with certain parasites of birds and mammals that are released from infected snails in fresh and saltwater!. Itch may also result from skin infestation by body lice, including head lice and pubic lice!. Most people who have itching, however, do not have a serious underlying condition!.
Cold applications: Because cold and itch travel along the same nerve fibers, the use of cold can "jam the circuits" and deaden itch!. Methods of applying cold include
cool water, either by running tap water over the affected area or placing a cold clean washcloth on the skin;
cool showers; and
ice packs, either the commercially available type or ice cubes in a plastic bag!.
Hot water (in the shower, for instance) feels good temporarily, but it often leaves you feeling itchier later!. Therefore, the use of hot water is not recommended!.
Anti-itch creams and lotions: Look for over-the-counter (OTC) remedies with these ingredients:
camphor,
menthol,
phenol,
pramoxine,
diphenhydramine, and
benzocaine (or one of the other "caine" anesthetics)!.
You can apply these products over and over -- every few minutes if needed!. These preparations help numb the nerve endings and stop you from a frenzy of scratching, which leaves the skin raw, sore, and even itchier!.
Although hydrocortisone-containing creams and lotions are often promoted as itch-reducers, this ingredient only helps an itch that is caused by a rash responsive to cortisone, such as eczema and seborrhea!. Since OTC hydrocortisone-containing creams and lotions are weak (even so-called "maximum-strength" products are only 1%), they aren't too helpful for itch even in responsive conditions!. When itching is caused by irritations of other sorts (insect bites, for instance), hydrocortisone doesn't help much at all!. If you use hydrocortisone for 10 days and experience no improvement, you should see a physician to help determine the cause of your itch!.
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http://www!.nhsdirect!.nhs!.uk/articles/art!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Well!.!.!. No one knows for sure!. But some scientists say its our pain receptors going off!. Or maybe we're just an itchy species!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
probably to dislodge dirt or bugs off our skinWww@Answer-Health@Com