Ah, this is interesting, I don't have palm itches too often, but I do have itches on the side of my index finger... Itches that only go away with hot water that "burns" the area or when it creates a skin bubble, which I pop and spray alcohol on to desinfect it, which brings enough pain for the itch to completely end.
Disclaimers:
This isn't medical advice.
Don't hurt yourself.
It's only bad for you if you burn yourself. There was a study a couple of years ago showing a strong correlation between application of heat on insect bites and a reduction in percieved itchiness.
The mechanisms for sensing itch and heat from our skin overlap and can interfere with each other.
Transferring heat quickly enough breaks down the chemical or cocktail causing the itchiness. My best guess is that the heat denatures them ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denaturation_(biochemistry) ) or the sudden shift provides a shock that's disruptive enough to get the job done. Like moving something from hot, to cold, to hot again when sanitizing.
The linked study suggests my first conjecture is, at least, a reasonable explanation for the immediate relief we feel.
Itch and pain, distinct sensations with specific receptors and mediators involved, interact with each other. A painful stimulus, such as noxious heat, causes the inhibition of itch signalling.
There are a few recent studies floating about which address aspects of mosquito bite itchiness pathophysiology. We still don't know exactly why that happens though. Without that info I can't draw the same conclusion for my second conjecture.
Anecdotally I've found success treating mosquito bites by
Heating water while putting something cool on the bite
Once the water is near boiling: taking the water off the heat and letting it cool to ~60° C / 140° F
Soaking a bit of metal in the hot water until the metal heats up
Touching that hot metal to the bite for a few seconds.
A fork or knife works fine. Anything that will radiate the heat away from itself and into the skin quickly. Ice or cold water works for the cooling bit. I've also used an ice cold metal can a few times.
If we reference that table alongside the Denaturation wiki article's chart we can identify the line we're towing. We want something hot enough to kill the itchiness but not so hot it'll damage our skin. 55° C applied to the mosquito bite for five seconds or so seems to do the trick. Your mileage may vary.
I've enjoyed that experience also. Additionally, my heels are very very calloused and sometimes I can use those to scratch the opposite leg. Occasionally I've managed to get the callouses under control and have missed them.
Have you walked around the whole day in tight jeans, with your legs sweating up a swamp? Do your legs itch like mad upon you taking off the jeans? Introducing the cat brush, the premier method to scratch the fuck out of that itch, leading to heavenly satisfaction. Doubles as an exfoliant!
21 Comments
Iheartcheese@lemmy.world · 77 pts · 293d
ITS NOT JUST ME?
Enkrod@feddit.org · 23 pts · 293d
Nope, it's a known phenomenon: https://www.healthdigest.com/1432002/why-bite-palm-mosquito-bite-itch/
fleurc@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 292d
Ah, this is interesting, I don't have palm itches too often, but I do have itches on the side of my index finger... Itches that only go away with hot water that "burns" the area or when it creates a skin bubble, which I pop and spray alcohol on to desinfect it, which brings enough pain for the itch to completely end.
Fuck_u_spez_@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 293d
Hot water. As hot as you can stand it for as long as you can without injuring yourself. Thank me later.
TommyJohnsFishSpot@lemy.lol · 14 pts · 293d
Nah, you get a bigger aura boost from gnawing on yourself. Plus, you don't need to find a sink.
sqw@lemmy.sdf.org · 4 pts · 293d
works, can confirm. not sure if its bad for me but its an immense relief
derek@infosec.pub · 5 pts · 293d
Disclaimers: This isn't medical advice. Don't hurt yourself.
It's only bad for you if you burn yourself. There was a study a couple of years ago showing a strong correlation between application of heat on insect bites and a reduction in percieved itchiness.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10309056/
My pet theory is that two things are happening.
The linked study suggests my first conjecture is, at least, a reasonable explanation for the immediate relief we feel.
There are a few recent studies floating about which address aspects of mosquito bite itchiness pathophysiology. We still don't know exactly why that happens though. Without that info I can't draw the same conclusion for my second conjecture.
Anecdotally I've found success treating mosquito bites by
A fork or knife works fine. Anything that will radiate the heat away from itself and into the skin quickly. Ice or cold water works for the cooling bit. I've also used an ice cold metal can a few times.
If the metal is too hot it can cause a burn. antiscald.com has a nice chart for this: https://antiscald.com/index.php?route=information%2Finformation&information_id=15
If we reference that table alongside the Denaturation wiki article's chart we can identify the line we're towing. We want something hot enough to kill the itchiness but not so hot it'll damage our skin. 55° C applied to the mosquito bite for five seconds or so seems to do the trick. Your mileage may vary.
SlacksMcTavish@lemmy.ml · 42 pts · 293d
People often forget they are animals, and biting an itch is very satisfying.
panda_abyss@lemmy.ca · 32 pts · 293d
I like when I have a bit of stubble on my face because when I rub it on an itch it feels amazing.
toynbee@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 293d
I've enjoyed that experience also. Additionally, my heels are very very calloused and sometimes I can use those to scratch the opposite leg. Occasionally I've managed to get the callouses under control and have missed them.
SlurpingPus@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 292d
Wait until yall hear about cat brushes.
Have you walked around the whole day in tight jeans, with your legs sweating up a swamp? Do your legs itch like mad upon you taking off the jeans? Introducing the cat brush, the premier method to scratch the fuck out of that itch, leading to heavenly satisfaction. Doubles as an exfoliant!
PotatoesFall@discuss.tchncs.de · 23 pts · 293d
I think it's because the skin on my palms is too tough to scratch effectively. Doesn't get the same sensation going.
starchylemming@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 293d
don't bite the hand that feeds!!!
KindnessIsPunk@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 293d
Don't bite the hand that cranks!
Dialectical_Specialist@quokk.au · 13 pts · 293d
I did this yesterday and am searching my room for cameras now thanks
jaybone@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 293d
Seems like you should not be doing this. Maybe see a dermatologist or something.
Beryl@jlai.lu · 7 pts · 293d
That's what the other hand is for !
SectoidLexi@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 292d
I find the best way to scratch an itch on the palm is to use the teeth from a key. Move the key in a "spreading butter" motion. Works every time.
infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 293d
Buddy see a dermatologist. Itchy dry palms are probably fungal, usually easily treatable with a topical ointment.
FGoo@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 290d
I envy this persons ability to draw soo much
regdog@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 291d
Talk to your doctor about Scabies