Why Do We Itch?

↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓

It’s one of the most annoying sensations our bodies can feel, but does anything feel better than when you scratch an itch? Ok, maybe *some* things. But itching and scratching are up there. How does this weird sensation work? And what is itching for?

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It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D.
Director: Joe Nicolosi
Writer: Kimberly McCoy
Creative Director: David Schulte
Editor/animator: Karl Boettcher and Derek Borsheim
Producers: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox

Produced by PBS Digital Studios
Music via APM

[besmart]

Please leave a comment and let me know if you got through this video without scratching yourself 😏

[tresden]

The WORST itch is the one that seems phantom, despite it being where you brain says the itch is...it also says you are scratching the wrong spot.

[thesun]

Do you ever itch and scratch it and that itch stops and another itch in a different place pops up
You go to scratch that new itch but as soon as you stop scratching the previous itch the new itch disappears and now you have your previous itch

[X-SPONGED]

The worst itch I've ever experienced was when I got an itch that feels like it's under my skin. It kept being itchy until 10 minutes afterwards where the itch finally subsides. It felt so annoying, I wanted to rip my skin off and scratch what's underneath just to feel relief

[That_Skeleton]

whoever watched this video without itching at all is superhuman

[omoghosty]

Don't you just hate it when you feel itchy "down there" in the middle of school?

[michaelrose]

Q) Why do we itch?
A) We really don't know.

Well, that was immensely helpful, thanks!

[amandathompson]

I don’t recommend telling someone to stop scratching. I’ve had pretty severe eczema my whole life and growing up people would always tell me not to scratch and low key it’s rude and insensitive. Especially after trying to suppress the urge to scratch all day (because it’s already embarrassing.) I’ve definitely got heated with my family members/ coaches who would tell me not to scratch.

[TatsumiOga]

I was literally itching when he said "itching is contagious, as you may have noticed now" lmao

[LoftyLazerus]

We need a lot more videos like this. Too often people speak with authority on subjects that we just don't have the answers to.

[OfentseMwaseFilms]

I started to itch the moment he said "right now"! Are you a witch??

[katieg]

I'm recovering from surgery, and between the wound dressings and the healing skin and the compression garment, GOOD GOD I am going to scratch my skin right off. Very relevant video to me right now thank you

[ladysilverwynde]

(Scratches scalp)
(Hears about woman scratching all the way to her brain)
(Immediately stops scratching)

[FeatheredCreature]

Mother: don't scratch please

Child: okay I'll just slap it then

[fruubearr]

me: *scratching my butt*
YT: *recommends this video*
me: WHO'S WATCHING ME???

[edjohn]

The “start from scratch” joke was sublime 😂 thank you

[bleep]

pov: you’re reading comments and scratching

[wut]

Itching my leg
*scrolls a video*
wHy dO wE itCh?!

[lindseybottoms]

“scratching is just a dialed-down version of pain to override the itch” *punches mosquito bite*

[iceflame]

How dare you do a doctor who reference almost immediately into your explanation!!! Lol love it!!