Itch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Itch |
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| A man scratching his back |
Itch (also known as pruritus) is that annoying, unpleasant feeling that makes you really want to scratch. Everyone has felt an itch before!
Itch is a lot like pain. Both are uncomfortable feelings. But how we react to them is different. When you feel pain, you usually pull away. When you feel an itch, you want to scratch it.
The tiny nerve fibers for both itch and pain are in your skin. They send messages to your brain. Even though they use the same nerve pathways, your brain processes them in different ways. For a long time, scientists thought itch and pain were the same. Now we know they are separate feelings, even with some similarities.
Contents
Why Do We Itch?
Itching is a common feeling. It can be caused by many things. Sometimes it's a bug bite, dry skin, or even an allergic reaction.
Contagious Itch
Have you ever seen someone scratch and then suddenly felt itchy yourself? This is called "contagious itch." It happens a lot! Just talking about itching can make you want to scratch.
It's not just in your imagination. Studies have shown that people can start itching just by seeing someone else scratch. Or even by watching a video about itching.
Scientists think this happens because of something called a mirror neuron system in our brains. These special neurons make us copy actions we see others do. It's similar to why yawning can be contagious. When you see someone yawn, you might feel like yawning too!
How to Stop the Itch
There are many ways to get rid of an itch. Some things you can buy at a store, and some need a doctor's prescription.
Itch Remedies
You can find many anti-itch creams and medicines. Some come from plants, but not all of them work. Simple things like cooling the itchy spot can help. Warming it gently or even just lightly touching it can also make the itch feel better.
The Itch-Scratch Cycle
Sometimes, scratching an itch can make it feel better for a moment. That's why things like back scratchers exist! But often, scratching can make the itch worse. It can even damage your skin. This is known as the "itch-scratch-itch cycle." The more you scratch, the more it itches, and the more you want to scratch again. It's a tricky cycle to break!
Images for kids
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Scabies is one cause of itching.
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Swimmer's itch
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Athlete's foot (showing the toes from below plus the front part of the sole)
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A chipmunk scratching itself.
See also
In Spanish: Prurito para niños
