Table of contents:
- Why does scratching make the itching feel worse?
- Be careful if the skin is scratched continuously
- Then how do you stop scratching the itch?
When you feel itching, your fingers scratch the surface of the skin without realizing it. It feels good to scratch that itchy skin, but did you know that scratching only makes your itch worse?
Why does scratching make the itching feel worse?
Do you often feel more itchy after scratching the surface of the itchy skin before? Yes, studies have even stated that scratching makes the skin itch more. Why does this happen?
To stop the itching, your brain tells you to scratch it. When you scratch, your nerves send pain signals to your brain, not itching. The goal is, so that this itchiness "goes away" when replaced by pain. Do not believe? Just try to remember again, what did you feel after the itching disappeared as a result of being scratched by your fingers? And once you feel sick, your skin will feel even itchier, right?
So you see, your itchy skin can be caused by various things, whether it's due to inflammation due to exposure to foreign substances, insects, or skin infections. Then, when you feel itchy, you reflexively scratch it. At first, the itching will disappear and feel comfortable. But a few moments later, you will feel pain in the previously itchy spot due to scratching.
Now, because of the pain, the body naturally releases serotonin. The goal is to reduce the pain you feel. However, not only regulates pain, serotonin also provides a feeling of "satisfaction" when scratching. So, the more serotonin that pain produces, the more likely you will feel like scratching. Meanwhile, with you scratching, the pain will continue.
Be careful if the skin is scratched continuously
You are constantly scratching not because it feels good, but because the itching doesn't stop. Due to the increasing itching sensation, you will definitely continue to scratch that part of the skin until the taste is gone. However, too often and hard you scratch the surface of the skin will only cause injury and irritation. Irritated skin will, of course, feel sore and sore.
Then how do you stop scratching the itch?
Even though it still itches, but if the skin is already irritated you should stop scratching. Here's how you can stop scratching the skin that is already sore but still itchy:
- Compress the itchy skin with a cloth soaked in cold water.
- Also make sure your nails are always short, not long.
- If you are at home, you can immediately take a warm shower to relax you and reduce the itching sensation.
- Know what causes the itchy skin symptoms. If it is caused by food allergies, then avoid eating these types of foods.
