People vary in their sensitivity level to tickling. Some individuals are ticklish, while others are not. We usually get so involved in living our lives that we ignore our childhood. The ways you laughed out loud and the stomachs used to get hurt with laughter. Tickling can be an amusing game, a quick irritation, or a profoundly disliked experience. But it depends on a person’s response to ticklish feet. Scientists have examined the tickle reaction for years. However, they learned why some people are more responsive and what terms this response might benefit from.
Ticklish Feet
People overcome the response of ticklish feet by applying moleskin on specific points, noting the use of moleskin for blisters. This article will cover what causes tickling in the feet and its possible benefits.
Types of Ticklish Feet
Two types of tickling can ensue on feet or other body parts.
1- Knismesis
Knismesis leads to light-tickling senses. These can be either amusing or unpleasant. If your kid or any person told you to lightly stroke and tickle their armpits, legs, or feet, you should know what knismesis is.
However, it even refers to disturbing tickles. It includes those led by a bug inching over your feet. Likewise, it can be anything that lets your feet feel tingly, just like sand on a beach.
2- Gargalesis
Suppose someone begins to tickle your feet actively. It leads to pain and laughter. So, it means you are undergoing gargalesis. It is the kind of tickling linked with kids’s tickle-torture games.
However, it may be better if you’re familiar. This tickling kind acts as a defense means to protect weak parts of your body, like the feet. Further, the brain may even sense it as pain. People are unfit to tickle it and make this reaction.
Feet are more ticklish than other body parts
Feet is more itchy than other body parts due to many reasons. The skin of the feet is thinner, making it more sensitive to touch. Similarly, the nerve ends of the feet are densely packed. It makes them more acute to tickling. Around 7000 nerve ends are in the foot.
These nerves have contact and pain receptors, leading to a ticklish response. Yet, small bones and muscles in the feet make them more responsive to contact. There are several sweat glands, making feet more apt to tickling.
Further, the brain part is responsive to feeling senses and more active when touching the feet. This elevated activity can make such senses more intense. In addition, psychological factors may lead to tickling. Tense or stressed people are more likely to experience it on their feet.
Health benefits of tickling
There are specific health benefits of tickling. It may entirely affect the body. One of the most vital benefits of tickling is its ability to cause laughter. Hence, laughing has different positive effects on the body. It includes easing stress and improving mood.
While giggling, the body secretes chemicals in the brain that are innate pain relievers. Likewise, they improve feelings of joy. It can even boost the release of other chemicals in the brain. They are linked with fun and reward.
Additionally, tickling can trigger the vagus nerve that runs through the body. It controls heartbeat and BP. In addition, tickling may have physical uses. It enhances circulation by raising blood flow to the stroked region. Yet, it can be used as a cure for certain diseases, like severe pain. Still, more research is required to know the ticklish feet’ benefits.
Medical conditions affecting tickling
Several medical conditions affect tickling. Cerebellar ataxia is a condition that affects a portion of the brain. It plays a part in the work of actions and senses in the limbs. However, certain drugs, like antidepressants, can simulate the way the brain affects sensory input.
Mental conditions like anxiety or sadness can affect one’s thinking of such feelings. However, it can vary between people. It is affected by tension, fatigue, and extra physical and emotional activity.
Sign to Diabetes
If the feet become less or more tickling suddenly over time, it affects the nerve endings of the feet. Peripheral neuropathy in feet driven by diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage. It can be generated from type 1 or 2 diabetes. Yet, the nerve damage from diabetes cause a tingling sense, which may be mistaken for ticklishness.
Diabetic nerve damage can lead to numbness. But, if you sense a tickle on the soles of the foot, it signals that you do not have such type of disease. Therefore, you may have diabetes and are affected by the senses. In that case, you can consult the doctor.
Babies and Animals’ response to tickling
This process is not unusual for humans. It suggests that ticklish evolved to help humans and animals. Likewise, the apes and mice show signs of ticklish. Apes play games with each other, and mice chirp on tickling.
However, the babies do not react to tickling until they are six months old. Babies are only ticklish when they learn that it is funny. It is because laughter does not constantly present joy.
Conclusion
Feet being ticklish may be an initial reaction in humans and animals. It dismisses insects creeping on their feet or other body parts. Yet, it can differ in intensity for people. Some consider it a problem, while others find it painful. It is vital to note that extreme tickling can irritate and cause adverse effects. If the ticklish feeling is causing distress, it may be helpful to consult a doctor. They will provide proper advice and suggest coping plans.
FAQs on Ticklish Feet
Why are the reasons behind some people being more ticklish?
It is assumed that tickling may be genetic. Some people are touchy on distinct body parts. One person can be touchy on their feet but not beneath their armpits. So, skin sensitivity impacts how ticklish a person is. A person with desensitized nerves is less likely to share the reaction.
Is this response a sound indicator of health?
Accordingly, tickling is a helpful indicator. Such people should think themselves lucky, as the loss of ticklish sense in the feet can signal nerve damage. Several medical states can result in nerve damage. It includes diabetes, circulation problems, vitamin deficits, or thyroid issues.
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