MEDICAL MISCELLANY

WHY does scratching make us more itchy?

ONE reason is that scratching can trigger the release of hista‑ mine — a chemical in the body that’s often what makes us itch in the first place. It’s associated with allergic reactions and condi‑ tions such as hives.

Adam Friedmann, a consultant dermatologist at the Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, says: ‘In some people, cells have a ten‑ dency to degran‑ ulate — release their histamine — very easily, which can make you more itchy.’

When there is no underlying disease, itches may be neuro‑ pathic — down to random firing of nerve signals. If scratching seems to cause the itch to migrate to another part of your body nearby, it may be down to ‘neurological excitement’, says Dr Friedmann.

‘It could be you’re stimulating these nerves and they’re firing off other itchy signals, and you get a chain reaction going. But it should settle down,’ he says.