Posted by Dr. Science on 05/08/2013 in
Question |
As I was trying to direct my husband to the exact spot on my back where the itch was, I began to wonder, exactly how big is an itch?
———- from Larua Tollenaar of Portland, OR
It depends if it’s amoebic or viral. Most itches are big enough to be seen under a magnifying glass, if they’ve been appropriately stained and are illuminated at an angle with short wave, ultraviolet light. I once watched an itch that looked a lot like actor Dennis Hopper running all over the back of an unfortunate friend. She had to be completely immersed in a solution of baking soda and chamomile tea. Viral itches are impossible to observe directly, but you can usually see where they’ve been. A tiny welt pops up momentarily, then fades and another appears nearby. It’s like watching a mole burrow under your yard. Fascinating.
