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 ...

Scratching is a natural response to irritation, but when it becomes a persistent habit, it may signal deeper psychological issues. While many dismiss frequent scratching as merely annoying, research ...

That irresistible relief from scratching an itchy rash comes from the mild pain it causes, which distracts the brain from the itch. This slight discomfort prompts the brain to release serotonin, often ...

In a nutshell While scratching worsens allergic skin conditions like eczema by increasing inflammation, it also activates a defense mechanism against bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus ...

AI-enabled wearable sensors can significantly reduce nocturnal scratching in patients with mild atopic dermatitis through haptic feedback. The study demonstrated high accuracy, sensitivity, and ...

In the first study to use imaging technology to see what goes on in the brain when we scratch, researchers have uncovered new clues about why scratching may be so relieving -- and why it can be hard ...

There are few more sybaritic pleasures than scratching an itch. But according to a study just out in the British Journal of Dermatology, the intensity of the scratching delight varies with the ...

We've all had bug bites, or dry scalp, or a sunburn that causes itch. But what if you felt itchy all the time — and there was no relief? Journalist Annie Lowrey suffers from primary biliary ...

Why does scratching an itch only make it worse? As it turns out, a brain-signaling chemical released in response to scratching has some unintended effects, scientists say. Scratching an itch provides ...