Scratching an itch, even from a skin condition like psoriasis, provides temporary relief and pleasure for a few reasons:
1. Scratching stimulates nerves in the skin that activate the body's pain and itch relief response. Scratching causes minor skin injuries that activate pain nerves. The body responds by releasing natural painkillers called endorphins that make us feel good and block the pain and itch signals.
2. Scratching also stimulates pressure receptors in the skin that sense pleasant touch. These receptors activate the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins and dopamine that make us feel good.
3. The brain maps areas of the skin, including the areas that itch. When we scratch, it provides input into this "map", which seems to temporarily satisfy the brain and reduce the urge to itch. However, this effect is short-lived, which is why we often have to scratch again.
4. Blood flow increases to the area we scratch, which can have a soothing effect. The increased blood flow also helps in tissue repair from any minor damage caused by scratching.
5. Habit and psychological factors are also at play. We learn from a young age that scratching itches provides relief, so we develop a habit loop. Simply scratching in response to an itch cue provides psychological relief through satisfying this learned habit and expectation of relief.
Despite these temporary pleasures, scratching psoriatic itches is usually not advisable, as it can further damage the skin, increase inflammation, lead to infection, and prolong the psoriatic flare. It is best to moisturize the skin and apply medicated topical treatments to help break this cycle. Anti-itch oral medications may also help reduce psoriatic itch.
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