Itching - There for a reason?

Read the questions and experts responses about itchy scars here.

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timjalex
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:26 pm
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by timjalex on Thu May 18, 2017 4:22 pm

Itching - There for a reason?

When one has a scar, does the itchy sensation serve a purpose?

By which I mean; does the act of scratching an itch actually stimulate the healing process?

If so, where is the cut-off point whereby any more scratching causes more severe scarring?

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Mr Ioannis Goutos
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:12 am
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by Mr Ioannis Goutos on Tue May 23, 2017 8:34 am

Re: Itching - There for a reason?

The evolutionary origin of scratch relates to primates fending off offending crawling creatures from the skin surface. Scratching is actually detrimental to the healing process due to the 'itch scratch' cycle. In other words, when you scratch- a substance is released in the skin called histamine, which causes more itch, so creates a vicious cycle.

On a similar tone, by scratching a scar, you put extra force on the structure of the scar and this can make the inflammation ('angriness') of tissues worse, hence making the scar worse as well.

The pleasure of scratching, which we all indulge in, acts as a reward before more itchy sensation creeps in........

Best regards,
Mr Ioannis Goutos
FRCSEd(Plast), MSc Burn Care

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... goutos.php

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