https://www.dictionary.com/e/itch-vs-scratch/
An itch is a skin irritation that causes the desire to scratch. Scratch describes the action used to relieve an itch. The grammatically correct construction is "to scratch an itch.". People often use itch and scratch in place of each other in everyday speech. For example, you may hear people saying they need to "itch a mosquito bite.".

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/scratching-feels-good
Avoid "itch triggers.". Whether it's a wool sweater, hot room, or a certain cleaning product, know what sets off your skin, then try to steer clear. Cool off. A wet compress or cold shower

https://www.thehealthy.com/allergies/itches-you-should-never-scratch/
If you scratch, you tear the delicate skin trying to heal itself and prolong the healing process or worsen scarring. More troubling, your fingernails house bacteria, which can get into the wound and lead to an infection. Itch fix: Cool sensations can help calm the itch, so try a cooling topical menthol, like the product Sarna.

https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-itch
Takeaway. An itch can feel like a burn, an electric shock, or a crawling sensation. It's caused by stimulated nerve cells in the skin, which make you want to scratch the affected area. If

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160226-why-its-feels-so-good-to-scratch-an-itch
If you scratch, then the sensation that provoked it is by definition an itch. It's a definition that may be reliable, but it's probably not all that useful. At first glance, itch and pain seem

https://derickdermatology.com/why-scratching-feels-good/
If the pain sensation is strong enough, your brain might release serotonin to fight the pain, but that can intensify the itch. This can devolve into an unpleasant cycle of itch-scratch-itch. In worst-case scenarios people have scratched to the point their skin bleeds, which can lead to infection. How to Relieve Your Itching Skin

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/itchy-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20355006
As you rub or scratch the area, it gets itchier. And the more it itches, the more you scratch. Breaking this itch-scratch cycle can be difficult. When to see a doctor. See your health care provider or a skin disease specialist (dermatologist) if the itching: ... Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11879-pruritus
The main symptom of pruritus is an itch. An itch is a feeling or uncomfortable sensation that causes you to scratch your skin to get relief. Scratching the itch doesn't always provide relief. If you scratch your itchy skin, you could have additional symptoms that include: Dry or cracked skin. Scratch marks (excoriations).

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-why-we-itch-and-scratch/
An itching sensation of the skin arises due to stimulation of pruriceptors—itch-sensing nerve endings—by mechanical, thermal or chemical mediators. These include: Stimulation by any of these

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284655
The itch-scratch cycle has puzzled scientists - why does scratching both relieve and exacerbate itching? Now, a new mouse study has identified how serotonin influences the cycle.

https://eczema.org/wp-content/uploads/Itching-and-Scratching-booklet-2021.pdf
Once you have started to scratch, you will probably find that you continue to do so and this leads to what is called the itch-scratch-damage cycle (see below). Intense scratching often relieves the itch - some people even find it pleasurable (this can be another reason why trying to stop scratching is so hard) - until damage occurs when the

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a35046886/why-does-it-feel-good-scratch-itch/
A simple fix: Stop the itch at the source by finishing off your back scratch with a moisturizing cream, ideally one that contains hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, dimethicone, glycerin, or

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-scratching-an-itch-make-it-itchier/
To scratch an itch is to scratch many itches: placing nails to skin brings sweet yet short-lived relief because it often instigates another bout of itchiness. The unexpected culprit behind this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/139JlWk05xdhgkRGScHdHr9/why-do-you-itch-and-should-you-scratch
Here are a dozen facts that will really get under your skin: 1. Rough estimates suggest you scratch an itch about 97 times a day. You probably have one or two now. Go on, nobody's looking. 2

https://www.self.com/story/itchy-skin-treatment
Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing with a towel, as the latter approach can irritate your skin. (As an added bonus, patting will leave your skin a little damp, which is ideal, because then your

https://www.sciencealert.com/why-scratching-makes-you-more-itchy
New research suggests that the "feel-good" hormone that makes scratching so satisfying also traps us in a never-ending cycle of intensifying itching. Scratching that pesky itch is one of the most euphoric feelings, only to be disrupted by the itch coming back - again, and again. Itching can be caused by a number of things, including dry skin

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-stop-eczema-itching-6831559
It Can Prolong Itching . With eczema, scratching your itchy skin can lead to what experts call the "itch-scratch cycle." Itching worsens the rash, prompting you to continue scratching—and on and on the cycle goes. That's because eczema-prone skin sends out chemical messengers that trigger your nerves and produce an itch sensation.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/pruritis-8660162
Pruritus is a feeling of itchiness or irritation on the skin that drives you to scratch the affected area. The sensation feels similar to pain, but it does not develop in precisely the same way. When people feel pain, their initial reflex is to withdraw, whereas pruritus drives them to scratch. The itch sensation can feel tingly and uncomfortable.

https://www.schooltube.com/the-science-behind-itching-why-we-itch-and-what-it-means/
Itching, that irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch, is a complex physiological response with a fascinating story to tell. This article will delve into the science behind itching, exploring its causes, mechanisms, and the evolutionary purpose behind this seemingly bothersome sensation.

https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Scratching-Irritated-Skin
Dealing with itchy skin, also called pruritis, often depends upon the cause of the itch. In general, it's best not to scratch an itch because you could worsen the underlying cause, irritate your skin further, or cause an infection. There are many ways you can treat itchy skin without scratching and resist the immediate temptation to scratch.

https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/living-with-eczema/itching-and-scratching/
Use emollients frequently enough to prevent dry skin. Sometimes, thick applications of ointments can block skin pores and actually cause more itching, so apply often but lightly (but enough to make the skin glisten). Emollients will help to keep the skin intact and well-moisturised, reducing irritation from allergens and irritants.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/31/health/mosquito-bites-itch-wellness/index.html
The more you scratch, the more they itch. Some experts break down why these bites itch so much and how to prevent or remedy the pain. If you've ever been bitten by a mosquito, you know how

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/ss/slideshow-eczema-itch-dont-scratch
A gel, lotion, or spray with 5% lidocaine or 1% pramoxine can numb the area. Or replace the itch with the tingle of capsaicin, what gives chili peppers their heat. Start with a 0.025%

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/530262/how-did-itch-come-to-be-used-to-mean-scratch-as-in-i-had-to-itch-my-leg
@Spencer - the essence of the general misunderstanding/misuse of "itch" is the idea that something that irritates/scratches in a tickling manner is itself an itch. I am taking "scratch" as a movement across the skin, which is possible to see in the quotations. The other point seems to be that although you, reasonably, do not see it, others seem to.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/good-question-why-does-dry-skin-itch-and-why-does-it-feel-good-to-scratch-it/ar-AA1mFCLj
When you itch, it makes it even itchier because we get those histamines and those chemicals released," Farah said. Aggressive scratching doesn't just extend the itchiness, it can make matters worse.

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/56366/why-do-i-sometimes-scratch-one-body-part-and-feel-it-another
For most people, referred itch is just a weird annoyance. It doesn't do any damage or have any ill effects, and so it doesn't get a whole lot of research attention. Scientists haven't even

https://www.teamblind.com/post/Does-renting-a-nice-car-scratch-the-itch-or-no-dNzdZCOM
Does renting something like an S Class for $200/day scratch the itch or just make you want the car m... I have recently been obsessed with watching car reviews and stuff about luxury cars. I'm about to go on a weekend road trip (flying + renting a car). Does renting something like an S Class for $200/day scratch the itch or just make you want

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/scratch-that-travel-itch-with-these-films-set-around-the-world/ss-BB1joHWA
Traveling is such an incredible experience. You learn so much about yourself and the world around you. Sadly, traveling isn't always an option. It can be expensive and takes so much planning and work.

https://itch.io/jam/scratch-game-jam-16
A game jam from 2024-06-28 to 2024-07-21 hosted by cocrea & SpriteStars. Scratchers! Welcome to Scratch Game Jam #16. Scratch Game Jam is a 14-day-long Scratch game development jam that occurs monthly on Itch.io. We look fo

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/technology/the-outer-worlds-2-has-a-good-chance-to-scratch-that-fallout-new-vegas-itch/ar-BB1nWGlC
The Outer Worlds scratches that New Vegas itch and a potential sequel is a chance for Obsidian to build on that. ... The Outer Worlds 2 Has A Good Chance To Scratch That Fallout: New Vegas Itch