itchy skin

Have you ever wondered why we spend so much time scratching our skin? This can be for a variety of reasons. If you want to know the answers to the questions in this article, read on.

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Without realizing it, fingers and nails scratch the body. Perhaps even when you are reading this, you start to scratch and care. It is not that the skin is itchy because of the disease. Scratching may be the body's natural response to relaxing sensations after receiving signals from the brain.

Why is the skin itchy?
On average, we have 2 square meters of skin, which makes it the largest organ in our body. The skin is directly exposed to various external factors, but like other parts of the body, it has a mechanism to prevent disease and defend itself from what is considered a threat.


Itching of the skin “normally” itching is called pruritus, and it is nothing more than a warning signal from the body to us. What can be a threat to our skin? There are all kinds of irritants, such as dust in the air, areas where hair or clothing comes in contact, insects, sweat, and the scent of leaves or flowers. Everything that touches the skin wakes up the receptors on the skin and sends a signal to the brain, which reacts to the senses. And it turns out itching.

Itching is alleviated by scratching, but the problem is that if the finger or skin is dirty or if too much pressure is applied to the skin, it can make the situation worse. If itching is too severe or painful, it may be due to an allergic reaction. Another reason to scratch your skin maybe because you are nervous, anxious, stressed, or worried.

Main cause of itchy skin
01-Dehydration
02-Dermatitis
03-Psoriasis
04-Injection (strawberry nose)
05-Excessive sweating
06-Poor hygiene
07-Skin irritation
08-Allergic reaction
09-Strong chemical use
10-Insect bites
11-Ticks and other microorganisms
12-Stress
13-Tension
14-Unrest
15-Drug side effects
16-Cryogenic


Many studies have revealed that there are neurons (neurons) in the brain that perform specific tasks that signal when something touches the skin or can cause problems. In 2007, scientists at the University of Washington in the United States revealed that there are pure neurons that exist to control itchy sensations. The study was carried out by biologists, psychiatrists, and anesthesiologists, published in a scientific journal.

The stimuli produced by itching are collected by nerve fibers under the skin of our body and send signals through the spinal cord to the brain. Here, neurons make us realize that something is itching. This nerve ending also serves as a reminder when we feel pain.

Whether it's scratching or not, that's the problem.

Scratching the skin automatically responds to the signs that something is bothering us. These unconscious signals indicate that there is something that can irritate the skin. Therefore, when the skin is scratched, it removes a threatening factor, so that the part feels relieved, but when the body leaves the warning state, it no longer sends an itching signal.

In addition, scratching the skin will turn your attention. However, by stimulating a larger area than the itchy area, it expands the threat and spreads the itching.

Scratching is a response to stimuli that we cannot control, such as coughing or sneezing. But don't forget that it's better to eliminate or avoid itching factors.

Another study at Wake Forest University in Oregon, USA, analyzed what happens in the brain when a dermatologist using MRI scratches the skin. Participants had to scratch the skin for 30 seconds with a comb and then stop for another 30 seconds.

The researchers found that surprisingly, certain areas of the brain associated with unpleasant memories and emotions are inactivated when scratching the skin. Perhaps that's why there is a feeling of relaxation and calmness when scratching.

Why is the skin itchy in winter?

Many people feel itching more in the cold season. This is because the skin is dry due to low temperature, wind, or snow. This is especially true of the hands and face most exposed to cold. It may also be because more hot water is used than summer, and temperature changes can make the skin dryer or cause dermatitis when using soap or detergent.

Other possible causes include wearing more clothes and not breathing as much as your skin needs, or clothes made of monaural or thick threads.


A good way to avoid scratching and damaging the skin is to apply some cold ice to the itchy areas and apply some ice to the skin. You can also put a chamomile tea-soaked cloth or spread green clay like a bandage. Finally, don't forget about the amazing effects of aloe vera for skin.