Understanding and Treating Dog Skin Allergies

​Skin conditions aren’t that rare with our dogs. We just might not notice the problem until some of the major symptoms emerge, or when we inspect their coat for parasites. There are some dogs that deal with conditions such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. This is where skin complaints become more chronic. Others get occasional flare ups in response to environmental allergens. Pollen and insects are common causes. Others may suffer dog skin allergies related to their food.

If you see your pet exhibiting any of the following symptoms, it is important to get them checked out by a vet. Your vet can determine the root cause of the allergy, any related side effects or complications, and the best course of treatments. You may be on a life-long journey of prevention and treatment depending on the condition. That is why it is vital to find the right option to match the right diagnosis.

​Dogs will usually alert their owners to problems through licking and pawing of infected areas. They want the itching to stop, and this seems like their best option until you think of something better. This behavior can become more pronounced and frequent in bad cases. The skin can be dry from the allergy, but also inflamed and sore from their rubbing and licking. In severe cases, you may also notice that the fur is in poor condition. It may even start to fall out in these areas.

​First there are the more typical veterinarian treatment and medications that pet owners can administer to their pets. These include corticosteroids and antihistamines. Then there are some more natural treatments, such as herbal remedies, that can help. One of the best approaches is to massage an oil or topical cream into the skin. This can add much need relief and nutrients to the skin. The massage also promotes blood flow to the damaged skin and fur. This should improve conditioning of the coat too.

There are different types of oil that dog owners swear by depending on the problem. Many like to use Lavender and Chamomile products to soothe the skin. Others use ginger and rosemary for the inflammation. Then there is CBD or hemp oil. There are dog owners that are wary of this option because of misconceptions over the links to cannabis. This oil has safe forms of cannabinoids with no psychoactive elements. These oils have great potential when soothing the itch and increasing the health of the infected skin.

​Ideally, you want to remove the risk of contact with allergens so that these allergies can’t develop. Keep them inside on days of high pollen, watch out for insect infestations and check their skin regularly. Yet, this is a bit like telling a hay fever sufferer they are cured if they don’t go outside in the summer. Dog skin allergies will flare up and will need treatment to ease the symptoms. The question is whether to stick with the antihistamines or try one of those alternative approaches.