Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: neilep on 17/03/2006 20:01:01

Title: Why do bites itch ?
Post by: neilep on 17/03/2006 20:01:01: Something's bit me !!..it itches...why ?...and what this bump all about ?....*scratch scratch*

Men are the same as women, just inside out !
Title: Re: Why do bites itch ?
Post by: DrN on 17/03/2006 21:57:07: I think its something to do with the activity surrounding the site of the bite - the action of the poison that has been injected in, and the movement of teh cells of your immune system getting to the area. there are lots of nerve endings on the surface of the skin, hence you're likely to be able to feel whats going on there I suppose!
Title: Re: Why do bites itch ?
Post by: neilep on 17/03/2006 22:09:52: Thank you Lindsay.

The bite seems to have subsided now and so has the itching. Which I presume must mean that my immune system has done the job.

Great to see you back posting every once in a while.
Title: Re: Why do bites itch ?
Post by: DrN on 17/03/2006 22:17:42: Hi, well, I'm taking time out after a stressful time at work, but It'll be nose to the grindstone again on monday - more deadlines! they just keep on coming!

another bite related question though -

I havn't had a bite in ages, I used to get bitten constantly when I was a kid, and I'd really react badly to them. when I get bitten now its just a small lump or even a dot and it doesn't itch much either. why the change? is it something to do with getting older? am i just reacting less to them now because my body has seen too many of them and has just got used to the poison?
Title: Re: Why do bites itch ?
Post by: another_someone on 18/03/2006 15:15:50: quote:
Originally posted by fishytails

Hi, well, I'm taking time out after a stressful time at work, but It'll be nose to the grindstone again on monday - more deadlines! they just keep on coming!

another bite related question though -

I havn't had a bite in ages, I used to get bitten constantly when I was a kid, and I'd really react badly to them. when I get bitten now its just a small lump or even a dot and it doesn't itch much either. why the change? is it something to do with getting older? am i just reacting less to them now because my body has seen too many of them and has just got used to the poison?

Well, I haven't had a bite since yesterday's supper (well, actually, it was early hours of the morning) [:D]

Is it the poisons that cause the reaction, or is it an immune reaction?

The other issue I believe is that insects like the smell of some people better than the smell of others (clearly, some people are more nutritious than others – to the insects way of thinking). It may be that as you have gotten older, maybe with changes in your own diet, or just the ageing process itself (maybe the insects like tender young humans better), your small has changed.

George
Title: Re: Why do bites itch ?
Post by: DrN on 20/03/2006 21:27:21: "your small has changed."

my small has changed? well, I do change my smalls. and all of them have changed since I was younger, as I'm afraid I have got bigger!

could be diet - my diet is absolute crap at the moment.

no jokes about the ageing process please - thats a sensitive subject!