Like humans, dogs can suffer from a variety of allergies that can cause unpleasant reactions which need to be managed. Skin allergies need quick intervention by the owner to prevent spreading of infection.
What Are The Symptoms Of Skin Allergies?
One of the most common signs that your dog is suffering from skin allergies is scratching and chewing at the skin. On inspection, you may find various symptoms including redness of the skin, bumps and rashes, and hair loss. In more severe cases, hotspots may form. But what causes these symptoms and how do you deal with them?
Some Common Causes of Allergies
Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD) - One of the most common causes of allergic reaction is FAD. Flea saliva contains a variety of substances which cause an allergic reaction in many dogs, manifesting in skin irritation. Left unchecked, the allergic reaction can become chronic and the skin can thicken, become eczematous and develop secondary bacterial infections. The bite of just one flea can cause a severe reaction. Ensure that all your pets (not just the dog showing allergic symptoms) are free of fleas and that your home is well-cleaned and regularly treated to ensure that the breeding cycle of the flea is broken. There are excellent products available to assist in making your pet flea-free but always follow instructions carefully to ensure correct usage and the most effective treatment. It is important to treat not only the pets living in the household but also the environment, as fleas lay eggs everywhere - in dog beds, furniture, and even cracks in floorboards.
Food allergies – Some dogs are hypersensitive to certain foods and food colourants, which can cause severe reactions on the skin as well as vomiting and diarrhea. There is a wide range of dog food available and the ingredients of one may better suit your dog than the ingredients of another. In addition, several manufacturers produce specialized diets for dogs suffering from allergies. Your vet can give advice on diagnosis of food allergies and the different veterinary diets available that may be suitable. Changing diets should relieve the symptoms, and in the case of skin reactions, topical medication can be prescribed and the dog can be bathed with suitable mild, soothing shampoos.
Contact allergies – it is common for dogs to show allergic reactions to certain types of grass and plants, carpeting, shampoo, soap powders used to wash their bedding, and other everyday substances. Gradual elimination of suspected allergens will help to identify the culprit, and the dog’s environment can be managed to prevent exposure to the allergen.
Dust and pollens – dogs that are sensitive to certain pollens, dust and plants may show seasonal symptoms, thereby giving a clue to the origin of the problem. Tests are available that can assist in identifying the specific allergen and your vet can give advice on diagnosis and treatment.
Hotspots – these areas on the skin which have developed as a reaction to exposure to allergens are extremely irritating and are exacerbated by the dog licking and chewing at them. They are usually patches of wet, thickened skin showing signs of hair loss.
Medical Conditions - There are medical conditions that can cause allergic reactions such as metabolic disorders and immune-mediated responses. Your vet should always be consulted to ensure a correct diagnosis and treatment.
How To Identify and Treat Skin Allergies
Managing allergies would usually involve removing the allergen and treating the symptom. In some cases it may be simple to identify the cause of allergic reactions, such as flea infestation or development of a skin irritation immediately after washing the dog’s bed, for instance. However, the causes of allergic reactions can be diverse and complicated and veterinary advice should be sought. Various tests can reveal the likely source of allergens where this is not obvious, and treatment will depend on the results.
Sensitive skin should be kept clean and dry. Soothing shampoos containing anti-bacterial and antimicrobial agents can be used to bathe the skin, which should be carefully dried afterwards. Topical treatments can be applied to soothe the skin and relieve irritation which may cause the dog to scratch and chew and prevent healing. Together with removing the allergens that caused the reaction, treatment of the irritated skin is imperative to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Other symptoms may not be easily interpreted – rashes, coughing, sneezing and even vomiting can be indicative of other maladies as well as allergic reaction and your dog should always to seen by a vet to ensure that serious illness is avoided.
Your veterinarian should always be consulted to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment.