Despite the saying “happiness is having a scratch for every itch,” itching often makes the itchy skin condition worse. So why is the instinct so strong? In a study with mice, researchers from the ...

The itch from bug bites, rashes, and other skin conditions can sometimes be so overpowering that it feels impossible to avoid scratching them. But new research explains why you might want to hold off ...

PITTSBURGH — When you feel that irresistible urge to scratch an itch, you’re activating an evolutionary defense system. New research from the University of Pittsburgh reveals a fascinating paradox: ...

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have uncovered new insights into the dual nature of scratching an itch, indicating that while it can worsen skin inflammation, it can also boost immune ...

Q: Is it true that you shouldn’t scratch itchy skin? What should I do instead? A: Scratching an itch can damage your skin and make the urge even worse. Instead, try rubbing or gently stroking it with ...

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TRPV4, an ion channel, is found in neurons classically associated with touch, called Aβ low-threshold mechanoreceptors. New research indicates that TRPV4 can generate itch, but it also helps trigger a ...

Forget what your parents told you, scratching an itch may be good for you, by boosting your body’s defence against bacteria. Scratching is a paradoxical phenomenon. It can feel nice to run your nails ...

Journalist Annie Lowrey has a rare disease that causes a near-constant itch that doesn't respond to most treatments. She likens the itchiness to a... Chronic itch is miserable. Scientists are just ...

Next up: Mosquitoes, chickenpox, sheep wool. People can name a hundred things that can make them itchy, but no one can tell you why. It's had scientists scratching their heads for years. Has it got ...