3. Itches have their own nerve network
Until recently we thought that itch and pain both shared the same pathways, but in 1997 a ground-breaking discovery revealed that the itch has its own specialised nerve fibres.
4. But itch signals travel really slowly
Nerve fibres all have different speeds. Touch signals speed along at 200 mph. “Quick pain” (which you experience if you accidentally touch a hot cooker) travels at 80mph. Itches crawl along at 2 mph – slower than walking pace.
5. Itching is contagious, just like yawning
Scientists proved this by showing a set of mice videos of other mice scratching. The first group started having a quick scratch too.
6. Contagious scratching involves a tiny part of your brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus
Neuroscientists currently have no idea how this part of your brain is involved in seeing and spreading scratchy behaviour.
7. Scratching is the best way for your body to deal with itchy invaders
It helps bat away any pesky insects or poisonous plants. It also makes your blood vessels expand, letting white blood cells and plasma flood in to wash away the invading toxin. This is why your skin becomes red and blotchy.
