Why, when one gets an itch, is it almost impossible not to scratch it? Our parents told us not to, but you just can’t help it! How do you tell if it's a harmless scratch or a warning sign of something far more sinister? Professor Jonathan Sackier and Dr. Nigel Guest dive deep into the world of pruritus in this episode of Join the Docs.From the nerve pathways that make us squirm, to the more serious systemic diseases, The Docs have got you covered in grease - or perhaps something else to soothe the irritation of Doctor Guest’s awful jokes.They’ll discuss some of the common causes of itching, from pesky poison ivy to serious liver woes. Eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions; no itch is left unscratched as we explore treatments and research breakthroughs.They'll uncover the origins of itching, classify it, and give more details on the various medical conditions that surround itching. Whether it's allergies, viruses, fungi, or skin infections causing the itch, The Docs will be discussing everything under the sun.From environmental triggers, to medication-induced itchiness, we'll cover it all, including varicose eczema, chickenpox, athlete's foot, and more. They offer valuable insights into the challenges faced by individuals and families coping with chronic itching conditions, accompanied by practical strategies for alleviating symptoms and fostering support networks.So, grab your back scratcher and join us as we scrape beneath the surface – separating the harmless itches from the more serious.If you want to read more info about this week’s episode, head on over to the website where Jonathan goes into more detail here.-----DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on Join the Docs are those of Dr. Nigel Guest, Jonathan Sackier and other people on our show. Be aware that Join the Docs is not intended to be medical advice, it is for information and entertainment purposes only - please, always take any health concerns to your doctor or other healthcare provider. We respect the privacy of patients and never identify individuals unless they have consented. We may change details, dates, place names and so on to protect privacy. Listening to Join the Docs, interacting on our social media, emailing or writing to us does not establish a doctor patient relationship. To Contact Us: For a deeper dive on this episode’s issue, merchandise and exclusive content, head to www.jointhedocs.comFollow us on youtube.com/JoinTheDocs Follow us on instgram.com/JoinTheDocsFollow us on tiktok.com/JoinTheDocsFollow us on facebok.com/JoinTheDocs Follow us on x.com/JoinTheDocs