Scratching where it itches reduces the presence of potentially harmful bacteria on the skin, studies in mice show.

When you’ve got an itch, your first instinct is to scratch it, bringing instant relief. However, any relief from scratching [ ...

Scratching an itchy rash worsens inflammation by triggering pain-sensing neurons and activating mast cells, creating a ...

The itch from bug bites, rashes, and other skin conditions can sometimes be so overpowering that it feels impossible to avoid ...

The researchers also demonstrated that scratching prompts pain-sensing neurons to release a chemical known as substance P, which triggers mast cells: cells involved in the immune system, causing ...

Inflammation is when our bodies release chemicals to fight off infections which can help healing. It can cause swelling and ...

“For example, a mosquito usually bites you and then you feel itchy. You don't scratch right when the mosquito is biting you.” Now, in a study published today in Science, researchers at the University ...

Scratching is something most of us do mindlessly. It doesn’t have to be a big deal, unless it is in hard to reach place. But ...

The research highlights why avoiding scratching is essential for healthier skin. Scratching may feel good in the moment, but it often makes rashes worse by increasing inflammation. While it can help ...

Scratching an itch can bring a contradictory wave of pleasure and misery. A mouse study on scratching, reported in the Jan. 31 Science, fleshes out this ...

Scratching isn’t just a bad habit — it’s an immune defense mechanism. While it fuels inflammation, it also helps fight ...

"Scratching is often pleasurable, which suggests that, in order to have evolved, this behavior must provide some kind of ...