Dog Skin Allergies and Treatment

If your dog is itchy and scratching, chances are he is suffering from one or more dog skin allergies. Left untreated, these can be a real source of misery for your best friend. Even a slight itchiness or sensitivity should be monitored before it becomes a major problem.

When the body encounters allergens, it responds by producing histamines that rush to the area affected. The histamines are what causes the itchiness and skin irritations.

Fleas are a major source of skin allergic responses. Their saliva carries an anti-coagulant which mixes with the dog's blood when he is bitten. This anti-coagulant causes the allergic response in many dogs. One bite is enough to cause minor to intense suffering depending on the individual dog's response.

If fleas are not present, then look at the ingredients in your dog's food. Check at your pet food store for the various sensitive food products they carry. You'll want to eliminate the common nutritional culprits like corn, wheat and grain. If that doesn't improve the situation, consider one of the single protein source formulations. Salmon and sweet potato dry food is extremely low in allergic food response, as are duck and turkey. You should be able to get the right food by trying small bags of each formulation in a process of elimination. Dogs with food allergies have swift reactions to the allergens so he will be telling you there's still a problem.

At the same time as you are dealing with the cause of the problem, you want to relieve your pet's suffering. Your veterinarian can prescribe steroidal medications and make recommendations for ointments and baths. Trips to the beach for swimming or playing at the water's edge will greatly help your dog's skin, eradicate any fleas and ease a lot of the anxiety he may be feeling. Pet stores carry oatmeal bath products which are also quite effective at soothing the itchiness. A massage oil made of sweet orange essential oil and almond oil is a natural repellent when rubbed into the fur.

If your dog's allergy was food based, once you find a good formulation for him, make sure you always have a sufficient amount of that food. A food based allergy will manifest itself almost immediately so it is important never to run out and substitute another food. Mix parts of the old bag with a new bag to ensure that any variety in formulation does not provoke a response.

Fleas are easily dealt with and can be removed from your dog and home with a few natural ingredients. Orange oil is a great repellent and there are a number of orange oil cleansing products on the market. Also, as noted above, the orange/almond massage oil makes your dog flea-free. Get borax and sprinkle it into any rugs you may have in your house. Borax is deadly to fleas. Push it into the nap of the carpet and then vacuum it out. Lavender and peppermint leaves are also unpleasant for fleas and also leave your house smelling wonderful.

Dog skin allergies should be dealt with promptly to alleviate the discomfort and suffering of your dog. With the right information, you can easily take the steps to removing the allergens that cause these problems.

Some people may not realize that animals suffer from allergies, just like humans. However, your pet's symptoms are different; therefore, may sometimes go unnoticed. One of the most common symptom's in dogs is skin irritations. There are a few things you should know when considering dog allergies treatment.

What you may notice at first, if your dog is suffering from allergies, is that he or she may chew or scratch on certain areas of the body more than usual. This alone, can cause lesions on the skin that may be red and scaly. Another sign to look for is a pet rubbing his or her face on textured materials, such as carpets or furniture. Hair loss, in a patch-like pattern, is also not uncommon.

If your dog is exposed to allergens, he or she may be more prone to ear infections as well. A wax producing gland in the ear starts to overproduce, when allergens are present. This response creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.

Although avoidance is recommended, you may not know which allergen is the culprit. Common irritants for dogs are food additives, pollen, flea bites, and dust mites. Eliminating one possible source at a time may take too long to give your pet the relief he or she needs. In this case, you may want to ask your doctor about performing an allergy test for your dog.

If eliminating the irritants is not a plausible option, you may be interested in looking into a form of topical therapy. Several shampoos and conditioners, as well as lotions and other ointments are available. This may only give your pet a temporary relief; however, so you should bathe him or her about two times per week, when using this method. If outdoor allergens are a concern, it may help to wipe your pet's feet, upon entering the home.

Fish oil based Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help reduce symptoms. Fortunately, adding these to your pet's diet poses little risk of side effects. If this does not seem to be enough to tackle the problem; however, you may want to speak with your Veterinarian about the addition of antihistamines. Because there are several forms of antihistamines, with varying degrees of side effects, it is best to consult your Vet before adding this to the treatment plan.

If your dog does not seem to respond to any other form of treatment, injections and steroids are other possible options. It is recommended; however, that all other alternatives are exhausted before considering this. Your Veterinarian may be able to customize an injection formulated from your pet's allergy test results. Although steroids have been found to be very helpful in the treatment of allergy symptoms, it is highly recommended that you consult your pet's doctor about any possible side effects.

If you believe your dog may be suffering from symptoms associated with allergens, you should consider contacting a Veterinarian to discuss any possible dog allergies treatment. It is always a good idea to seek professional advice when dealing with your pet's health.