Why does the histamine response cause itching?

Question

I get it that foreign body = histamine, mast cells, inflammation, etc. But what is the purpose of the motherflipping ITCH!?!?!? It seems evolutionarily/biologically unwise to cause a reaction that can lead to broken skin, and therefore more chance of infection. Sure, deploy white cells, cause inflammation, fight off the invader. Do all that. BUT WHY MAKE ME ITCH?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Scratching can mechanically remove “larger” foreign bodies which cause itching (for example, insect stingers or plant pieces). Itch stimulates scratching behavior. It’s a nonspecific response so you get the whole package even if parts are less helpful.