Itching - There for a reason?
Moderator: talkhealth
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?
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?
- Mr Ioannis Goutos
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:12 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,
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
FRCSEd(Plast), MSc Burn Care
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... goutos.php