Scratch That Itch by Niall Longobardi We’ve all felt the familiar sensation of a tingling in the middle of our back or an irritation behind the ear. These itchy feelings grow until they become impossible to ignore. The only way to get sweet relief is to scratch those affected spots. While this cycle of getting itches and scratching them might seem like a basic human function, the science behind them is surprisingly complex. Itches can simply be defined as irritations on the skin that require some action, like scratching. When skin gets irritated by things like rough clothing tags or bugs crawling on it, special nerve endings within the skin called pruriceptors are activated. These receptors, which are sensitive to stimuli like pain and temperature, send signals to the brain, creating the sensation of an itch. Scientists believe our skin developed this ability as a defense mechanism against potential hazards, such as insects and parasites. There is no denying that finally scratching those annoying itches feels wonderful. However, the act of scratching doesn’t actually relieve the itchy sensations. Instead, scratching creates slightly stronger sensations that are more noticeable than the itch itself. The brain must prioritize all the different sensations we can feel at one time, and pain takes precedence over itchiness. Essentially, when we scratch ourselves, we induce a minor and manageable amount of pain that distracts our brains from the itch. The temporary relief we feel comes from our brain no longer being preoccupied with the itchy sensation. The next time you feel itchy, remember that scratching is just your body’s way of defending itself.