Scratching isn’t just a bad habit — it’s an immune defense mechanism. While it fuels inflammation, it also helps fight ...

Scratching where it itches reduces the presence of potentially harmful bacteria on the skin, studies in mice show.

Scratching an itch is almost irresistible — even though it can make a problem worse. Now researchers have discovered a mechanism that explains the "itch-scratch cycle".

Researchers studied genetically modified mice that lack NP2 itch-sensing neurons, to investigate the connection between itch, scratch, and inflammation.

The researchers also demonstrated that scratching prompts pain-sensing neurons to release a chemical known as substance P, ...

New research published in the journal Science uncovers how scratching aggravates inflammation and swelling in a mouse model ...

An itchy scalp is both annoying and embarrassing. Whatever the reason - be it dryness, dandruff or some other skin condition - the incessant urge to scratch interrupts your day and can be quite ...

The research highlights why avoiding scratching is essential for healthier skin. Scratching may feel good in the moment, but it often makes rashes worse by increasing inflammation. While it can help ...

Scratching an itch can bring a contradictory wave of pleasure and misery. A mouse study on scratching, reported in the Jan. 31 Science, fleshes out this ...