When I scratch an itch, why does the itch move to another area?
93913
Itch is produced due to the presence of certain noxious chemicals at the site of itch like histamine e.g. released in allergic conditions like hay fever, or substances produced by local pathogens like cutaneous bacteria that may flourish if a person has little habbit of bathing. These chemicals inturn stimulate nerve endings at specific receptors which take the itch sensation to spinal cord. When we scratch then itching stops because of following mechanisms: 1) either the noxious chemical or agent is removed or 2) the sensory receptor gets exhausted and stops generating impulses because of sudden strain of stimuli during the process of scratching 3) scratching stimulates pain nerve endings which results into supression of further sensations from that area due to reflex inhibition of the neuron. \n\nWhat you have asked can has two mechanisms, i will try to make them clear,\n\n(I). A single neuron does not end by supplying a sigle receptor rather it has many nerve endings which take sensations over a large area and different neurons are interconected with each other, this means that if one neuron at a particular site is stimulated say by those chemicals, sensations wil also be reffered to the areas of other neurons to which that particular neuron is interconnected (this is also the mechanism for "reffered pain") but normally body will preferably perceive that site from which impulses have highest frequency and intensity i.e. the original site of itch, and body will ignore other sites from which weak impulses are coming. When you will itch on that original site, the impulses from that site will vanish suddenly but from the weak sties will continue. In this way will feel as if the same sensation has shifted from original site to another site.\n\n(II). Another mechanism may be that sometimes when you scratch the itching area this cause hault of impulse generation by the receptor at that site but also stimulates other neurons to which the original neuron is interconnected and this results into shifting of same sensation to the skin area of the other neuron.\n\nAlso please keep in mind that certain dermatological conditioins in there mider form like mild allergy, hay fever, urticaria, hives, dermatitis, etc can cause itching because the receptors become sensative due to the presence of histamine and other madiators of allergy, I will recommend if it is a long term problem consult a skin specialist.
402491
an itch is a misfire of a nerve ending.(i think).  its along the same lines of why you can feel like you're wiggling your toes after you have your leg amputated.(lol)
341987
an itch is somewhere in your body that you want to scratch really very much. Itching can be caused due to allergy to certain types of foods, medicine, moquitoes, sunlight or warm weather in general.
9705
Itchy hands are most often associated with a skin condition or rash. The commonest of these is eczema. This itching could be due to an allergy to something you have come into contact. Common allergy causing agents are household detergents or factors linked to your occupation. \n\n\nIt is very unlikely that the itching is related to your circulation. There are other conditions that give rise to itching but the itch tends to be more generalised all over the body. You will need to visit your GP so he or she can assess your hands and advise you on the likely cause and treatment. If you are worried about anything in particular, it is very important that you tell you're doctor.
311894
an itch is when something causes histamines in your skin cells to be released. then your sensory cells become depolarized and signal to your spinothalamic tract. itches are controlled by your spinal cord if i recall from anatomy class, because it is not really needed to be noticed by your cortex. if you noticed every single itch in your cortex you would most definetly go insane. \nanti-histamines are usually in allergy medication to relieve itchiness.\nim pretty sure you might scratch hard enough to remove cells, but i dont think scratching is used for removing dead cells.\nthis might be a a bit vague or not quite correct but its the best i could remember.
1007046
hmm....so that's why they itch.  I knew there was a logical answer.  Hmm....so why do my balls itch then?  Elves, also?
737427
you got an itch - scratch it!\nas long as it is safe sane and consentual!
960639
I'm sorry, do you have an itch but can't reach it?
53913
It's not really scabies ( tiny insects which burrow along in skin and lay eggs as they go) that cause the damage,  it is the subsequent scratching, itching, and digging that causes problems.  Repeated scratching can lead to skin infections.  Since skin is the largest organ in the body, infections can be extremely dangerous. Untreated skin infections can lead to blood infections or kidney infections.  If your lucky enough to avoid these problems, scarring of the skin from continual scratching is something to look forward to.  In short-see your local pharmacist for an over the counter medication to treat scabies.  Stay healthy!
124838
I think it could be a mental thing.  I do the same thing.  It's like I have to scratch in so many different places (mind you I actually feel the itch) before I can get comfortable and fall asleep.  It's a possibility?
612021
There is a good product for sale called After Bite, a clear liquid that you apply to the bites.  It comes in a compact tube, easy to keep it handy.  I think it contains mostly ammonia.  It makes the itch go away.  If you've been scratching like crazy and the area is raw, be careful, because this stuff will burn a little bit.
927765
Yes, itching is a side effect. Kinda cute, people think you have some sort of tick.
1095401
Time my friend.\n\nYou only have to wait.\n\nYou are experiancing in grown hair.  It is a situation girls deal with a lot.\n\nIt should go away in a few days.  Scratching is fine - just don't do it so much you bleed.
367901
Because that itch goes to your fr!iggin B!alls.
810400
It could be an allergic reaction or a yeast infection. See your doctor A.S.A.P. it could lead to other infections. What ever you do. DO NOT SCRATCH.. Scratching can lead to heavy discharge and other infections.
595667
We itch because the infection/healing around the sore is inflamed and aggravated. But the reason you are told by your mother not to itch, is the chance of infection from dirty fingers touching a wound
180048
cause ur damaging your epidermis \ncausing an irritation.. which in turn also itches.