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Scratching that bug bite might feel good at first but science explains why it's a bad idea
- University of Pittsburgh dermatologist Daniel Kaplan discovered that scratching worsens rashes by triggering a pain-nerve pathway, creating a 'double whammy' of inflammation that traps people in an itch-scratch cycle.
- Mast cells, the immune system's first responders, release histamine during allergic reactions, but pain-sensing nerve cells release substance P, which activates these cells through an entirely different molecular pathway.
- Scientists observed mice wearing tiny 'cones of shame' to prevent scratching, finding that animals unable to scratch experienced significantly less swelling and fewer inflammatory cells than their counterparts.
- Although scratching provides immediate relief, Kaplan stressed that the act is 'deleterious' and can turn a minor irritation into a week-long problem, urging people to avoid the urge.
- Scientists suggest using menthol-containing creams or antihistamines to temporarily fool the skin and break the persistent itch-scratch cycle, despite scratching's potential evolutionary germ protection.
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29 Articles
29 Articles
The IndependentReposted by 
Western Morning News
Western Morning NewsIf scratching an itch feels good why is it bad for you?
Ignore a mosquito bite and the itch is ‘gone in five or 10 minutes for most people’
·London, United Kingdom
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Associated Press News+25 Reposted by 25 other sources
Scratching that bug bite might feel good at first but science explains why it's a bad idea
You scratched that bug bite and now it's a big itchier bump. Some science explains why scratching really can make things worse, even if you don't break the skin.
·New York, United States
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Scratching Bug Bites Triggers Serotonin Release That Intensifies Itch Cycle
Research indicates that scratching a bug bite or skin rash triggers a neurological feedback loop that temporarily masks itchiness while ultimately increasing inflammation and the risk of infection. While the physical act of scratching provides immediate sensory relief, scientists have identified that this response often exacerbates the underlying irritation and delays the healing process. The
Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left15Leaning Right1Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution58% Left
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources lean Left
58% Left
L 58%
C 38%
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