One of the greatest pleasures in life is to scratch an itch — in both the real and figurative sense. Although scratching an itch provides immediate (albeit temporary) relief, it may actually trigger ...

We all know that yawns are contagious, and even the word in print can be enough to inspire one. (Sorry! Also: Yawn, yawn, yawn.) Now, a new study suggests that we live in a real-life "Itchy & Scratchy ...

I remember it well: our dark winter of itch when the kids were small. It started with a note sent home—years before the pandemic—that my child had been exposed, not to a deadly virus but to lice.

Scratching an itch can be really satisfying but also annoying at times. You often find yourself mindlessly scratching your arms or whatever skin is exposed as these are the places mosquitos commonly ...

Sometimes, as the saying goes, you need to scratch an itch. But when you literally have the urge to scratch, what's causing it? Especially since most of the time, it can make the problem worse. "I'm a ...

It can be a relief to scratch the occasional itch, but when itch gets out of control, it can become a serious health problem. How does the body know when to stop? It can be a relief to scratch the ...

Have you ever wondered why scratching sometimes makes itching even worse? The neurotransmitter serotonin has been fingered as one troublemaker as the brain tries to control pain caused by scratching.

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 ...

Itching study 'finds chemical that makes us scratch' Researchers have found a chemical that is necessary in order to feel the urge to scratch an itch. They were able to turn off the urge in mice while ...

Russell has a PhD in the history of medicine, violence, and colonialism. His research has explored topics including ethics, science governance, and medical involvement in violent contexts. Russell has ...