ITCH.See Medicine, p. 599b.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
(חרס, ḥāreṣ; ψώρα, psō̇ra): Only in Deu_28:27, where it probably refers to the parasitic skin disease of that name which is very common in Palestine. It is due to a small mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which makes burrows in the skin and sometimes causes extensive crusts or scabs, attended with a severe itching. It is very easily communicated from person to person by contact, and can be cured only by destruction of the parasite. This disease disqualified its victims for the priesthood (Lev_21:20).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Itch
(חֶרֶס, che'res, from חָרִס, to scratch and to burn), an inflammatory irritation of the skin, threatened to the Israelites as an infliction in case of idolatry (Deu_28:27); probably some coetaneous or eruptive disorder common in Egypt, but of what peculiar character is uncertain, if, indeed, any peculiar malady is intended. SEE DISEASE.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.