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Advice for how to to Recognize and Treat Canine Skin Allergies

Skin lesions that are triggered by some bype of allergy are by far the most commonly noted trigger for dog skin conditions. .They can be rather mystifying to identify, hard to tell one from the other, and frustrating to remedy. The three most typical types of dog skin allergies are flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergy (or hay fever), and food allergy. The symptoms of these 3 types of allergies can be hard to tell apart, but they each have their own distinct symptoms that can help a vet differentiate one from the others.

Flea bite dermatitis is the most frequently diagnosed of all the skin allergies. It is a source of much misunderstanding for owners of pets because, despite common misconceptions, fleas affect cats and dogs year-round. They don’t die off In winter. Also, you won’t necessarily see fleas on your dog or in your house. If your dog has allergies to fleas, it'll only take a particularly few fleas to result in a significant issue, and these few fleas can be really shifty well hidden.? Flea allergy can affect dogs of any age and any breed.? It has effects on dogs all year, even though it is sometimes the worst in the late summer and fall months. Dogs impacted by flea allergy will sometimes be itchy all over, but especially in the rump area (above the tail base) and on the backs of the quads.? They may generally gnaw on themselves in these areas till they begin losing hair and developing reddened and sore skin, most likely with secondary illnesses.?

Seasonal allergy is the second most common kind of skin allergies in dogs. It can affect dogs of all ages and any breed, though certain breeds such as the West Highland white terrier, the bichon frise, and the English bulldog are especially prone to the condition. Atopy happens when a dog is allergic to environmental allergens, eg pollen, ragweed, and mold. Rather than developing itchy eyes and a runny nose like humans, instead dogs with environmental allergies typically will develop itchy skin. They can be itchy all over their body, but most chronically on their paws and their underbelly. Sometimes they'll lick their paws to the point of severe redness and bacterial infection.

Food sensitivity is the third most typical kind of dog skin allergy. It can be seen in all breeds at all ages. It occurs when a dog becomes allergic to a protein that is present in the diet, treats, or table scraps the dog is given. A dog can start to become allergic to a food at any time, even if he’s been eating that very same food for years with no issues. Food allergies can lead to generalized itch. You may observe that the rear of the dog will be the most itchy. Ear infections will most likely often be a secondary disease along with the condition.

Treatment for skin allergies typically consists of a medicine to help with the itchiness, such as an antihistamine or steroid, along with one of a select group of antibiotics or anti-fungals to treat any secondary yeast or bacterial infections. A select group of calming and/or medicated canine shampoo products are often recommended , as well as treatments to help with the specific type of allergy, such as flea preventatives for flea bite dermatitis, change in diet for food allergy, or hyposensitization therapy for seasonal inhaled allergens.

Cathy Doggins is the editor of many authoritative articles on dog health and wellness and a leading contributor to the often visited web site the Dog Health Guide. In addition to her research on canine skin allergy, Cathy is recognized for her advocacy and volunteer work on behalf of dogs and cats.

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