This itches / This is scratchy.
'Pizzica' — 'PEED-zi-ka'. Three syllables. The 'zz' = 'dz'. Stress on first syllable.
When a fabric irritates the skin — common with low-quality wool, synthetic blends or stiff natural fibres. Important for sensitive skin.
'Pizzicare' = to pinch/to itch/to sting. Used for fabric irritation. 'Mi pizzica' = it itches me. You can also say 'è irritante' (it's irritating) or 'mi fa prudere la pelle' (it makes my skin itch).
Mi fa prudere la pelle.
It makes my skin itch.
'Prudere' = to itch — more specific skin reaction
Il tessuto è un po' ruvido.
The fabric is a bit rough.
'Ruvido' = rough/coarse — describing texture objectively
Ho la pelle sensibile.
I have sensitive skin.
Explaining why fabric feel matters to you
Merino wool ('lana merino') is Italy's go-to recommendation for people who find regular wool itchy. The finest Italian wool from Biella (Piedmont) — used by brands like Zegna — is so fine it doesn't irritate at all.