Theory About Why Itching & Scratching Exhibit In Majority Of Animals

Fact: Healing wounds itch, and are difficult not to scratch.

Fact: Wound healing involves the growth of new cells which impacts the small sensory nerves in the skin.

Fact: Skin cancers involve the growth of new cells that impact the small sensory nerves in the skin.

Hypothesis: Scratching removes some skin cancers as they are just getting started, so evolution favors animals that feel itching and scratch their skin, removing many skin cancers at a very early stage.