why do we itch our skin? I am not talking about fungi infection or insect bites, I am talking about those normal itches we get.
Answers
An itch, also known as pruritus, is a general sensation arising from the irritation of skin cells or nerve cells associated with the skin. While it can be a nuisance, pruritus serves as an important sensory and self-protective mechanism, as do other skin sensations such as touch, pain, vibration, cold and heat. It can alert us to harmful external agents, but can become unbearable if not treated.
Pruritus is a dominant symptom of many skin diseases and also occurs in some diseases that affect the entire body. An itching sensation of the skin arises due to stimulation of pruriceptors—itch-sensing nerve endings—by mechanical, thermal or chemical mediators. These include:
Chemicals for immune response (histamines) and pain relief (opiods)
Neuropeptides, which include pain-regulating messengers released within the brain, such as endorphins
The neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin
Prostaglandins, which are lipids that, among other functions, create the sensation of pain in spinal nerve cells
Stimulation by any of these agents is typically related to inflammation, dryness or other damage to the skin, mucous membranes or conjunctiva of the eye.
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