Leave a Comment   
Nobody has benefits anymore, so we're offering up the one resource we all have: other people's mothers. Each week a staff mom (nurse, guidance counselor, lawyer and shrink) will answer one of your questions. This week, it's health Q&A with Laura's Mom the Nurse.

Sometimes, I start itching one particular place and I can't stop. Am I insane, or is it really itchy? And how can I stop clawing at myself?

Laura's Mom says:
"Itching can be a vicious cycle. If you scratch an itch, you can cause inflammation that can actually trigger more itching. If there's nothing there to start with it may be a compulsive behavior.

"If you decide it's a compulsion, then you should see a health-care provider. There are inexpensive medications available for this."

Laura's Mom the Nurse is a women's health nurse practitioner in Topeka, Kan.

Tell us! Do you have a health question? Need career or legal help? Got a psychiatric quandary (who doesn't)? Put it in the comments, or e-mail editors@lemondrop.com, and we'll send it to our moms.