Dog Skin Allergies



	Dog Skin Allergies Is your dog suffering with irritating skin? Try Derma-Ionx Skin Care for Dogs. Dog skin allergies are extremely common and if your dog is constantly scratching, licking, biting and rubbing on the ground they could have a skin contact allergy. This means there is something they are coming into contact with that is penetrating the skin and causing an immune reaction, which triggers inflammation, itching and heat in the skin. If you discover that your dog does have this problem it can be quite a frustrating and difficult process to keep them away from the allergen. What are skin contact allergies? Dogs who are allergic to a particular substance, chemical or other organism such as fleas, will have a reaction every time their skin comes into contact with it. Their immune system overreacts and causes symptoms such as itching, redness, inflammation and hotspots which can drive dogs completely barmy as they bite, chew, scratch and roll around in an attempt to find relief. Often due to this activity they can lose hair and develop open sores. It’s also common in dogs that are constantly licking to see brown patches in their fur as their saliva stains it, especially around the feet. In some cases bacterial infection can spread across the skin, making the condition worse. Vets will often use the term dermatitis to describe skin contact allergies, which is a general term for skin inflammation, with redness and itching. What are the main causes of dog skin allergies? Bear in mind that not all skin problems are due to allergies. There are many other health problems which can cause skin conditions, including problems with the thyroid. However there are many common allergens which your dog can come into contact with on a daily basis and these can cause extremely irritating skin problems. Here are the most common: Parasites – especially fleas. In dogs with flea bite allergy just one bite can be enough to trigger hours of scratching and discomfort. Repeated exposure to flea bites and constant infestation can be a trigger for this allergy and cause a dog to become oversensitive to the bite of the fleas and the proteins in its saliva. The dog is not actually allergic to the flea itself. A simple check of your dog’s skin will determine whether they have fleas. You must treat your dog regularly for fleas to help reduce their discomfort and help prevent an allergy from beginning in the first place. Environmental substances – the list of things that can cause dog skin allergies is endless. Different dogs react to different things. They may even react to more than one thing. Typical allergens are: Lawn grass Weeds Plastics Cleaning products Furniture stuffing House plants Synthetic or natural fibres To find out what they’re reacting to, firstly have a look at their skin. Are the problems localised to a specific area? For example, under the collar or where they lay on their bed. These are obviously helpful clues. If the problem is all over, the best thing to do is keep a symptoms diary for 4 weeks and note down any symptoms, as well as your dog’s activity, where he has been and anything you’ve done around him, such as cleaning. That way you may be able to spot a pattern of flare ups. Does his skin get worse every time you polish? Every time he swims in the lake? Every time you visit your in-laws? He could be reacting to something in their house (probably not to your in-laws themselves!) Bacteria: in some dogs bacteria on their skin can cause an allergic reaction. Your vet will be able to diagnose this possibility. How to treat a skin contact allergy Whilst there are blood and skin tests to find out what they’re reacting to, very often you’ll have more luck trying to find out yourself by keeping a symptoms diary, as detailed above. Removing contact with the allergen that’s causing the skin irritation is obviously the best way forward. That’s sometimes easier said than done! Especially if your dog is super sensitive and could be reacting to a number of allergens. There are also the standard treatment options for dog skin allergies. These include: Medicated shampoos: if you bath your dog regularly with hypoallergenic shampoo this can help to reduce the amount of allergens which are absorbed through the skin. Anti-histamine tablets Cortisone products for short term relief of severe itching Essential fatty acids to help improve skin health. Flea treatments: important on a regular basis. A good anti-flea shampoo can also help. It’s also important to make sure your home is not a breeding ground for fleas. If you suspect your dog may have a dog skin allergy, check with your vet first. But using sprays and bombs to get rid of any infestation is essential. Top of Dog Skin Allergies Back to Dog Allergies main page Back to the Homepage	Is your dog suffering with irritating skin? Try Derma-Ionx Skin Care for Dogs.
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