Skin Allergies in Dogs
Also referred to as allergic dermatitis, skin allergies are the most common types of allergies in dogs. A wide variety of irritants like parasites, environmental allergens, and food ingredients can affect your pooch, causing their skin to itch. The resulting discomfort and scratching can leave your pooch miserable and scratching constantly.
Plus, repeated scratching due to allergies can open tiny lesions in your dog's skin, causing further irritation and inflammation and leaving your dog at risk for secondary skin infections. The good news is that if your dog is experiencing skin allergies, your vet can help by testing your dog for allergies, diagnosing the problem and treating it.
What are signs of skin allergies in dogs?
A dog's skin allergies can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Red, irritated, or flaky skin
- Sores
- Scooting or rubbing their muzzle or affected area of the body on surfaces
- Hair loss
- Biting or chewing the skin
- Rubbing the ace or ears with their paws
- Excessive licking of the affected area
- Excessive scratching of the affected area
In addition to discomfort and continuous itching, severe skin allergies in dogs can also increase the risk of secondary infection developing. As your dog bites, scratches, or licks at his skin in response to the itching, superficial lesions develop, leaving room for yeast and bacterial infections to invade your dog's body.
What causes skin allergies in dogs?
Here are some common causes of skin allergies in dogs:
Environmental Allergens
Pollen, dust, and mold can cause atopic (atopy) dermatitis, or allergic dermatitis. Seasonal allergies are also included in this category and can be frustrating to identify and diagnose, since your dog may only display symptoms during specific times or seasons of the year.
Examine your dog's ears and paws for signs of environmental allergies. Also, check around the eyes, muzzle, underarms, wrists, ankles, belly, and between the toes. In addition to the symptoms listed above, you may also notice your dog develops recurrent skin and/or ear infections.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
A flea's saliva can cause an allergic reaction in many dogs that leads to flea allergy dermatitis. This condition can cause the skin to become incredibly itchy, especially at the base of the tail. You may find the sin becomes inflamed, red, and scabbed.
Food Allergies
Dogs can also be affected by food allergies that cause them to scratch at their ears or paws. These allergies can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and/or diarrhea.
That said, there’s an important distinction to be made between food sensitivities and food allergies. Food sensitivities (intolerances) are a gradual reaction to a specific ingredient such as milk, beef, wheat or chicken. Symptoms can include chronic foot or ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, itchiness and more. True food allergies trigger an immune response that can cause skin conditions such as hives and facial swelling.
How are skin allergies in dogs treated?
Advice about how to treat skin allergies in dogs abounds online and from other sources, and it's easy to fall down a rabbit hole of information. Your first step to finding the source of your pup's problem should always be to contact your vet to book an examination for your four-legged friend, since a combination of skin allergies or conditions may be causing your dog's symptoms.
Your vet will perform a thorough physical exam and provide an accurate diagnosis and custom dermatological treatment plan to help soothe your dog's skin and support healing of any lesions or infections.
Treatment options for skin allergies in dogs may include:
- Injectable, non-steroidal medications
- Allergy vaccines
- Medicated baths with special shampoo and conditioner
- Dietary changes
- Topical treatments (medications shampoos)
- Steroids
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Fatty acid supplements
In some cases, if your vet is unable to determine the cause of your pup's skin allergy, your dog may be referred to a veterinary specialist for advanced allergy testing.
The cause and nature of your dog’s allergy, its location on the body and other factors will all determine the best treatment for your pet. Our veterinarians have experience in understanding the subtle differences between various skin conditions, allowing for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. We do not recommend administering at-home remedies for your dog's skin allergy or condition before consulting your vet, as these may cause secondary complications and make the problem worse.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.