Why Does It Feel So Good to Scratch an Itch?

Lots of things can cause itchiness: a bug bite, rash, allergy, sunburn… maybe even reading about itching. Why does it feel so good to scratch an itch? It’s a fascinating sensory experience that uses the trigger of pain to release the feel-good chemical, serotonin. What’s also fascinating is that there’s another word for itch: yeuk! And it’s the Museum of Science and Dictionary.com #ScienceWordOfTheWeek, presented by Alex Dainis.
Catch all the Science Word of the Week episodes here: • Science Word of The Week
To learn more, visit:
Museum of Science: www.mos.org/swow
Dictionary.com: www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-...
Among the world's largest science centers, the Museum of Science engages millions of people each year to the wonders of science and technology through interactive exhibitions, digital programs, giant screen productions, and preK - 8 EiE® STEM curricula through the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center. Established in 1830, the Museum is home to such iconic experiences as the Theater of Electricity, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater. Around the world, the Museum is known for digital experiences such as Mission: Mars launching in 2022 on Roblox, and traveling exhibitions such as the Science Behind Pixar. Learn more at www.mos.org/
#humanbodyfacts #itch #scratch #yeuk #vocabulary #science #sciencefacts #MuseumofScience #Boston #ScienceforAll

[@HypingSugar]

Me scratching my itches rn while watching this:

[@sr32012]

I slap the itching area so hard that pain was overcoming the feeling of itching so I didn't have to scratch again and again

[@spiderman20874]

It actually worked thank you 😂

[@Itsdasummer32]

Thanks!

[@sjwimmel]

In Dutch it's the main word for itch: jeuk!

[@mgonzo3881]

The problem with scratching is your nails are dirty, but the best way to get rid of an itch is to scratch. The best tool to scratch with is to use a clean, plastic fork or plastic knife. I’ve been doing this since I was a teenager and it’s worked without any problems.

[@armadasinterceptor2955]

You can also use hair brushes.

[@mgonzo3881]

@Armadas Interceptor Never tried those before. But aren't the bristles too soft to scratch? Or am I thinking of the wrong type of brush? Plastic forks are just convenient to have around and a clean tool to scratch with. But I am always looking for better alternatives. You agree with me, though? Scratching is the best way to get rid of an itch and not something stupid like a cold pack.

[@armadasinterceptor2955]

@@mgonzo3881 As far as brushes go it is personal preference, some have soft thistles, others like the plastic brushes have harder thistles. I absolutely agree with you though. When you go ahead and scratch, you get incredible relief, and the itch tends to go away. Your obviously doing it right.

[@luvrose9856]

I use forks and brushes but knifes??

[@mgonzo3881]

@@luvrose9856 Plastic knives

[@alalexesc]

that’s the word for itching in German, Dutch and Esperanto. Learn that in Vienna when I was a student there and got a peanut allergy in a Thai festival

[@conanhighwoods4304]

Ay, always good to see a conlang get mentioned.

[@damitzdesign]

I scratch, but now I have a rash....

[@aishanoor85]

Thank u so much I sometimes feel very itchy but thanks

[@JoeNaeem]

Great vid!

[@Pinecone.the.Therian]

I have some bad athlete's foot right now, can't get to sleep because of HOW FREAKING AWFUL IT FEELS

[@microwavedmetal]

Yeah I Yeuk my skin off all the time when I a Yeuking a Yeuk😂

[@keishabell1676]

Thank you

[@annmariebarratt4213]

Tapping does not help for me.
I actually scratch till I bleed😢
And then regret it the next day😢😢😢

[@wolfywolf8307]

I'm yeuking to hear more

[@moewuu_xin]

how to tap inside of Thao
throat

[@thomasbrooksjr380]

Witch hazel works wonders too 😌

[@chessnick211]

I always just rub and tap instead of itching and 90% of times it works

[@Mdellie]

Wait, I wasn't supposed to scratch my itches?!

[@adjiewahyupradana2696]

depend, just try not to damage the skin too much

[@kyivstuff]

If the skin is not perforated run the itchy area under very hot water then cold. Hot water will feel pleasant like yeuking the itch, and the cold stops the cycle.

[@Monte6717.]

Me scratching my whole body bcs everything itches rn

[@museumofscience]

Oh no!

[@Danicas_Art]

I have alergies but my skin stoped itching somehow when autumm came

[@hop-skip-ouch8798]

Goofy must've been really itchy.

[@Mimi_meeko]

I searched addicted to scratching but I meant addicted to scratching like carpets can u help me

[@myhandlewasstolen2]

To* An*

[@Ikermorales327]

I have eczema

[@Itsdasummer32]

My hair itches!

[@alvaroq2024]

Not gonna be yeuking anymore 😡

[@Mizumii25]

Cool so then care to tell me why my entire body itches, especially when both hands are busy? I've already been confirmed to have dandruff (still calling bs on this) on my scalp and face but not the rest of my body. So why does my entire body itch? Especially my face and scalp even when they're clear of the dandruff. Nothing.stops.the.itch.

[@Dremth]

Eczema, dry skin, hot showers, anxiety, allergies. You name it.

[@alvaroq2024]

See a dermatologist!

[@Mizumii25]

@@alvaroq2024 I have. They said it's just all over my body

[@davinaarthur5522]

Can you rub your skin

[@aimanpardiwala12345]

me literally scratching myself right now

[@Smile-ue6bi]

People with phantom itch: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@ricklp1861]

I'm scratchin'