What is an itch?

[Humungus]

What causes a random part of your skin suddenly to have an itch, and when you examine the area, there's no obvious cause, nothing there?

[IggyB]

well i can safely say that some one writing about an itch does indeed produce the symptoms you describe- ooo i'm itching all over - i think i have fleas - can anyone think about a really annoying itch on your head without scratching

[Kay]

It could be teeeeny hairs on your body and dont they feel like ants walking on you? ooh itchy myself now.

[tartanwiz]

I know it's to do with blood movement in tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin, triggering off the nerves, but I don't know any more than that.

[booksworth]

scratch..scratch..could be something too small to see - there are microscopic creatures on everybody..scratch..scratch..why did you have to start us on this topic?..scratch..scratch

[Humungus]

Hey! Thanks! You chaps are good. Aw! scratch! What have I done? Anyone got any calomine lotion?

[secretspirit]

I thought it was when your skin is shedding and it makes you scratch?