PITTSBURGH — When you feel that irresistible urge to scratch an itch, you’re activating an evolutionary defense system. New ...

The itch from bug bites, rashes, and other skin conditions can sometimes be so overpowering that it feels impossible to avoid scratching them. But new research explains why you might want to hold off ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Constantly scratching and picking at an itchy rash really does make ...

Your parents were right: Scratching an itchy rash really does make it worse. Now we know why, thanks to new research published today in the journal Science that uncovers how scratching aggravates ...

Q: Is it true that you shouldn’t scratch itchy skin? What should I do instead? A: Scratching an itch can damage your skin and make the urge even worse. Instead, try rubbing or gently stroking it with ...

One of the defining characteristics of eczema - its itchiness - may now be helping scientists unlock a treatment. Sure, scratching that itch might give a moment of relief, but it can also lead to skin ...

Mosquito bites are itchy and we tend to scratch itchy things. The scratching feels good in the short term but tends to hasten and exacerbate swelling and inflammation. This leads to more scratching ...

Studies show that scratching overrides itch signals and engages pain-modulating regions in the brain, creating a sense of ...

When I was a kid, my mom would say, “Don’t scratch that itch, it will only make it worse.” And multiple elementary school teachers told me, “Holding an injury doesn’t help. Leave it alone.” But it ...