Itching, What Is An Itch?

[RATTER15]

and why does scratching stop the itch?

[Buenchico]

>>>What Is An Itch?

There's no simple answer because there are different types of itch:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itch#Mechanism


>>>why does scratching stop the itch?

You obviously missed the report in the news last year which said it actually does exactly the opposite!
http://www.livescience.com/48561-why-scratching-an-itch-makes-it-worse.html

[RATTER15]

Thanks Chris, interesting!

[Old_Geezer]

Longer term it can make the cause worse but it tends to bring vital short term relief. I've always assumed that it overloaded the nerve with signal so it temporarily became less sensitive

[douglas9401]

There was a young belle of old Natchez
Who ripped all her garments to patchez
When comment arose
On the state of her clothes
She drawled, When Ah itches, Ah scratchez.

[aelmpvw]

why is an itch always where you can't reach to scratch?

[RATTER15]

aelmpvw, you mean when you get an itchy nose and you are carrying something that requires both hands!! Grrr

[aelmpvw]

yes ... my nose always itches when i've got the dog lead in one hand and a full nappy bag in the other :-)