Ever wondered why we scratch an itch?

An itch can sometimes be caused by an allergic reaction or a bug bite

Sometimes a certain feeling can get under our skin - when we need to scratch an itch, especially if we've been bitten by a bug!

But why does it feel so good when it can cause our skin to look red and sore?

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh in the US have been studying what drives this itchy cycle.

They've discovered that while it's not great for our skin, there are also some benefits to scratching, which have been published in the journal Science.

What did the scratch study show?

It's not just us - animals like to scratch an itch too!

The research discovered that scratching made inflammation worse, and aggravated the skin, which explains why it goes red afterwards.

Inflammation is when our bodies release chemicals to fight off infections which can help healing. It can cause swelling and redness.

The study says having a scratch triggers our immune systems and activates things called mast cells.

These drive more itching, which leads to more inflammation. And so the cycle continues.

Scientists have been looking at why that scratchy feeling can takeover

Senior author Daniel Kaplan said: "Scratching is often pleasurable, which suggests that, in order to have evolved, this behaviour must provide some kind of benefit."

And now they think they've found that benefit, as researchers discovered the mast cells also improve the skin's defence against a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which is the most common bacteria involved in skin infections.

The cells also protect against other bacterias and germs.

The team is now looking into how this info may be able to help people with certain skin conditions.