# Why do healing wounds itch?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-healing-wounds-itch/489493>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 15, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-healing-wounds-itch/489493 "2009-03-15T03:34:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-healing-wounds-itch/489493/1 "2009-03-15T03:34:11Z")

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I had shoulder surgery 5 weeks ago. There was a 2 inch incision made on the front of my shoulder. I think the whole thing went through the muscle there. For the last two weeks it’s been itching like crazy. I know I’ve had other wounds that have itched in the process of healing. Why does healing = itching?

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**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-healing-wounds-itch/489493/2 "2009-03-15T03:38:49Z")

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My WAG is itch = irritant. I’m guessing the healing process either produces irritants, or at least makes the nervous system think it does.

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**Author:** ![firstname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-healing-wounds-itch/489493/3 "2009-03-15T06:27:29Z")

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I believe its because of increased blood flow to the area while its healing.

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-healing-wounds-itch/489493/4 "2009-03-15T06:40:12Z")

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I asked this question once before, but can’t find it. I seem to recall it has to do with the movement, not just of blood, but also of cells.