Why Does Scratching Itchy Skin Make It Itch More?
Disease description:
The skin feels slightly itchy, prompting an urge to scratch it constantly—yet the more you scratch, the itchier it becomes. Why does scratching intensify skin itching?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Ruizhi
Skin itching may be caused by eczema or a fungal infection. The more one scratches, the itchier it becomes—primarily because scratching causes secondary skin injury, and stimulation of sensory nerves subsequently triggers the sensation of itching. For itching caused by allergies, calamine lotion may be applied topically. During treatment, maintaining proper skin hygiene is also essential.
