Is itchy skin a disease? What does it mean to have itchy skin?
Woman's Face With Freckles
Have you ever paused and wondered why we spend so much time scratching our skin?
This could
be for a variety of reasons.
What does it mean
to have itchy skin?
Without even realizing it, fingers and nails scratch all over the body. Perhaps the moment you read this article, you may start scratching and bother.
Just because you have the wrong medicine doesn't mean your skin is itchy.
Scratching may be the body's natural response to easing sensations after receiving signals from the brain.
Woman's Face
Why is my
skin itchy?
On average, we have 2 square meters of skin, which is why it is the largest organ in our body.
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?
When the skin is “normally” itchy, it is called pruritus, and it is nothing more than the warning signs that the body sends us.
What could be a threat to our skin? There are all kinds of irritants, including dust in the air, areas where hair or clothing comes in contact, insects, sweat, and the scent of leaves or flowers.
Anything
that touches the skin wakes up receptors in the skin and sends signals to the
brain, which reacts with the senses. And that's what appears to be itching.
Woman Hiding Behind Green Leaf
What does it
mean to have itchy skin?
Scratching relieves itchiness, but the problem is that dirty fingers or skin or putting too much pressure on the skin can make the situation worse.
If the itching is
too severe or painful, it could be due to an allergic reaction. Another reason
for scratching your skin may be that you are nervous, anxious, stressed, or
worried.
The main
cause of itchy skin
dehydration
dermatitis
psoriasis
Injection
(strawberry nose)
Excessive
sweating
Poor hygiene
Skin
irritation
Allergic
reaction
Use of strong
chemicals
Insect bites
Ticks or
other microorganisms
stress
Tension
unrest
Drug side
effects
Low
temperature
Woman in White V-neck Top Holding White Floral Textile
Many studies have shown that there are neurons (neural cells) in the brain that perform specific tasks that signal when something touches the skin or can cause problems, scientists at the University of Washington, USA, revealed that there are pure nerve cells that exist to control the itchy sensation.
The study was
conducted by biologists, psychiatrists, and anesthesiologists, and published in
the scientific journal.
The stimuli produced by itchiness are collected by nerve fibers under the skin of our body and send signals to the brain through the spinal cord.
Here neurons make us
realize that something makes us itchy. These nerve endings also serve as a
reminder when we feel pain.
Scratching or
not, that's the problem
The act of scratching the skin automatically responds to signs that something is bothering us.
Involuntary signs like this can tell you that there is something in your skin that can cause irritation.
Therefore, when you scratch the skin, you feel
relief in that area by removing the threatening factor, but when the body is
out of the warning state, it no longer sends an itching signal.
Also,
scratching your skin will allow you to divert attention. However, it stimulates
a larger area than the itchy area, expanding the threat factor and spreading
itchiness.
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 the itching factor.
Another study from Wake Forest University in Oregon, USA analyzed what happens in the brain when a dermatologist who used MRI scratches the skin.
Participants in the experiment had to scrape their skin for 30 seconds with a comb and then pause
for another 30 seconds.
The
researchers surprisingly found that certain areas of the brain that are
associated with eerie memories and emotions are deactivated when scratching the
skin. Perhaps this is the reason for the relief and calmness of scratching.
Grayscale Photo of Woman
Why is the
skin itchy more in winter?
Many people feel itchier in the cold season. This is because the skin becomes dry from the cold, wind, or snow.
This phenomenon occurs most often in the hands and
face, especially when exposed to the cold. It could also be because the
temperature changes with more hot water than in summer can make your skin drier
or cause dermatitis when using soap or detergent.
Other
possible causes include wearing more clothing and not breathing as much as the
skin needs, or clothing made of wool or thick thread.
A good way to avoid scratching the skin and damaging it is to apply a little ice to the skin using a cold pack on the itchy area.
You can also put a cloth soaked in chamomile tea, or apply green clay as a bandage.
Finally, don't forget about
the amazing benefits of aloe vera for your skin.
Comments
Post a Comment