What causes an itch?

Thinking about the fact that out skin is comprised of millions of skin cells that are forever flaking off and then being replace, what is the real cause of an itch? I'm not talking about itches with other reasons, fungus, dandruff, etc. I mean just a regular itch. I have no idea about this one. Help anyone?

Why don't we look more closely at word origins?

I have been making connections in my mind about words. Lately, not because I'm perverted, I've been thinking of the word masturbation. I've been thinking about the root "turb" because the only other words I associate with that root are disturb, perturb, and bioturbation. So I looked at the word root, "turb" comes from the root which means, "disturb, confuse, turmoil or crowd." Interesting. Also part of the word is: stuprare "defile" (oneself), from stuprum "defilement, dishonor."

So something that the world seems as normal and acceptable, taking the actual word apart shed some light on the actual repercussions of that action.

Word origins... informative.

Why do some people take offense when others don't like the same things they like?

This question applies to me. But the times that it bothers me most is when I ask someone, "do you like such and such?" and they reply with " I HATE that!" I take that personally because the word hate is so strong, and I feel that if people hate something that I love, by extension, they hate me.

I don't think I'm the only person like this. I often feel disappointed when someone criticizes or dislikes something that I love or appreciate. But we just need to remember that it's just taste.

The reason I bring this up today is the whole Harry Potter craze going on. I like the Harry Potter books; but I am better without them. They really have a negative effect on me. But that doesn't mean that I disrespect people who like it.

Anyway, I feel this is a valid question.