In a nutshell While scratching worsens allergic skin conditions like eczema by increasing inflammation, it also activates a defense mechanism against bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus ...

Perpetuation of the itch-scratch cycle (see Figure 1) alters the integrity of skin leading to barrier damage. Scratching also causes undesirable changes in skin such as lichenification and prurigo ...

This is why your skin becomes red and blotchy. Beware the itch-scratch cycle! Scratching your skin releases extra histamine, sending more itchy signals to your brain. Do it too much and you will ...

Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is vital for recovery. "Scratching may bring temporary relief to the itch, but it actually triggers the release of a chemical called histamine which just causes ...

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Discover why your skin feels itchier at night and learn practical ways to stop nighttime itching for better sleep.

“There are some things about that concept that are off,” said Isaac Chiu, an immunologist at Harvard Medical School, who studies itch. “For example, a mosquito usually bites you and then you feel ...

1. Don't scratch Resist the urge to scratch Breaking the itch-scratch cycle is vital for recovery. "Scratching may bring temporary relief to the itch, but it actually triggers the release of a ...

Sessions focus on disrupting the "itch-scratch" cycle. You learn techniques to distract from the itch and promote mindfulness. Research suggests that habit reversal techniques—used as part of a ...

This creates dryness and irritation in your skin. It can trigger the itch-scratch cycle — when irritation causes you to scratch, which causes more irritation, which leads to more scratching.