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Scratching that bug bite might feel good at first but science explains why it's a bad idea
Summary by The Odessa Editorial Desk LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated Press , as published by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 27, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) · view original
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Odessa Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Byline on source page LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated Press, as published by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) Original story Read at the source Source published Jun 27, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway This advice is given because scratching can exacerbate the issue.
Residents of Odessa may have heard the warning since childhood to avoid scratching bug bites or rashes. This advice is given because scratching can exacerbate the issue. Itchiness can be caused by various factors, including serious diseases.
The reason scratching is discouraged is due to its potential to worsen the condition. Doctors have long cautioned against scratching too much. Further information on the science behind why scratching bug bites is a bad idea can be found through local news sources, such as Yourbasin.
Why this matters
Local news anchors readers in their community — the people, places, and decisions that shape day-to-day life. The Odessa covers these stories because national outlets often won't.
About this story
As published by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local Published: June 27, 2026 Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Residents of Odessa may have heard the warning since childhood to avoid scratching bug bites or rashes. This advice is given because scratching can exacerbate the issue. Itchiness can be caused by…
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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