You searched for: “itching
pruritus, itching
1. A condition that has as the dominant symptom a desire to scratch some part of the body to relieve irritation.
2. A sensation which elicits the desire to scratch.
3. Itching, an uncomfortable sensation due to irritation of a peripheral sensory nerve; a symptom rather than a disease.

Pruritus does not always originate from stimulation to the skin associated with primary dermatological disorders. It may be caused by neurological or behavioral disorders.

An itch which arises from the irritation of nerve cells associated with the skin

Pruritus serves as an important sensory and self-protective mechanism; as do many other skin sensations, by alerting people to harmful external agents.

Constant itching can become unbearable if the underlying condition is not treated.

—Excerpts from
"How do itches come about, and why does it feel good to scratch them?"
answered by Mark A.W. Andrews, associate professor of physiology
at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine;
Scientific American, June, 2007; page 80.
This entry is located in the following unit: pruri-, prur-, prurit- + (page 2)
A unit related to: “itching
(Latin: itch, itching; be wanton, be eager for)
(itching spots on legs have turned into ulcerated sores)
Word Entries at Get Words: “itching
itching
An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on the skin or in the skin, and which makes the person want to scratch that affected area.