University of Pittsburgh Study Links Scratching to Heightened Eczema Inflammation
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Dr. Daniel Kaplan, reported that scratching intensified inflammation in mice with eczema-like skin conditions. AP News described the study as showing that scratching an itch increased swelling and immune-cell activity, reinforcing medical advice to avoid scratching. KSL News echoed the finding, noting that the induced immune response could prolong discomfort, while the New York Post added that the effect amplified allergic skin reactions.
Fox News later detailed that the heightened inflammation was driven by activation of mast cells and the release of histamine. The report said that this mechanism extended the itch-scratch cycle. In a subsequent Fox News update, researchers were said to have observed a reduction in certain skin-bacterial populations when scratching occurred. The authors suggested that limiting scratching mitigated both the inflammatory response and the bacterial changes.
