14 Comments

Jnhate it when people call the action of scratching "itching" as in. "I've got to itch this thing"

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That's why the old saying goes, "If you've got an itch, itch it!"

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Fun fact: You can make yourself feel an itch or pain, but it’s impossible to tickle yourself.

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That really drives home the social aspect of tickling!

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Speaking of itchy superstitions, there's even an old joke I heard back in Ukraine (where superstitions are still more prevalent than in many other places). It goes something like:

The Bunny goes to the wise Owl for advice and asks,

"Hey Owl, what does it mean if my nose itches?"

"Well, that means you're going to get good news soon."

"Uh, huh. And what if my tummy itches?"

"Then, you'll, uh, have plenty of food this season."

"Right, but what if my paw itches?"

"Then you'll make a lot of money!"

"But what if my--"

"Listen, Bunny, I think you should just go and take a shower!"

It may not be ha-ha funny, but it sure is topical.

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"Maybe also get a real quick penicillin shot just in case!"

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I went through years of chronic itching after having a pedicure that my aunt got as a gift. Sadly those there did not clean their equipment correctly and I got a toe fungus that caused chronic itching. I honestly didn't even know that was possible! It was horrible! Eventually, I had to have my toenail removed. It's been a year and I still don't have a toenail. Not much of one anyway... I don't have as much itching though. It used to be sooo bad that it'd keep me up at night! It's REALLY rare now though. Not that my toenails look normal. I tend to wonder if I'll ever have normal toenails again. People REALLY NEED TO CLEAN THEIR EQUIPMENT! They can REALLY harm people otherwise. It's easy for rich people to take good care of their feet but it's not so easy for middle class and even harder for poor people. They could end up like me, without a toenail! Smaller itching...yeah...chronic itching like that...LOOK OUT!

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I guess jiu jitsu has taught me more than I ever thought I needed to know about toe fungus and things like that. Yikes.

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I think some may be to scared to talk about such things but I'm just not to scared. Plus, personally I believe that creating awareness matters. I believe VERY strongly that nobody deserves to suffer. THAT extent of itching IS suffering... I appologise if it bothered anyone though. Still, please keep an eye out on where you go, etc. because everyone sadly doesn't take cleaning seriously enough.

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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/proprioception is one of many skin maladies I deal with daily with MS. Itching is an issue as well. My neuro called it paresthesia:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24932-paresthesia

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I'm for sure gonna write about paresthesia. Let me know how I did when it's done - I have dealt with some of that crap too (not MS or itching, but the pins/needles due to athletic injuries that persist forever).

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I think there are many things related these issues. I think it generally falls under the rubric of neuropathy.

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I feel like somehow all this is related to other awareness sensations like ‘ears burning’ when someone is talking about you

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You know, both are connected by being forms of vigilance, if nothing else. Know what I mean?

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