Dog Skin Allergies: Facts, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Skin allergies (also called allergic dermatitis) are a very common problem in dogs. Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to normal or common substances. These substances are called “allergens,” and reactions occur after your dog is initially exposed to them. Dog skin allergies are a very common problem that affects many pet owners.

Dog allergies, especially skin allergies happen when your dog comes in contact with the allergen and his body overreacts (called a hypersensitive reaction), which causes his skin to become itchy and inflamed. In turn, your dog scratches, possibly injuring his skin and allowing bacteria and fungi like yeast to grow and cause a secondary infection.

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Common Causes of Dog Skin Allergies

These are some of the common causes of skin allergies:

• Flea bites
• Eating certain foods or proteins (Food allergies)
• Inhaling pollens, dust, dust mite droppings or mold (atopic allergy or Atopic dermatitis).
• A skin allergy, also known as allergic dermatitis or canine atopic dermatitis, is persistent itchy skin that can affect any dog.
• Allergic Reaction to certain drugs, antibiotics or vaccines
• Contact with certain fabrics, plants or chemicals
• Infestations with skin parasites such as demodex mites, sarcoptes mites, lice, etc.
• Side effects including dry skin on dogs and dog skin allergy symptoms.

Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs: What Is It?

The medical word for hay fever in dogs is canine atopic dermatitis, or canine atopy. It’s a term that’s frequently used to describe a prevalent type of dog skin allergy in which dogs are allergic to a wide variety of environmental factors.

Skin allergies may be seasonal. Seasonal allergies can be aggravating since they only impact your dog during specific seasons or periods of the year. For example, your dog may scratch more often in the spring and summer because there is more pollen in the air and more growing grass.

Breeds Prone to Skin Allergies

The following breeds are prone to skin allergies:

• Bulldog
• Cocker Spaniel
• Fox Terrier
• German Shepherd
• Golden Retriever
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Pug
• Shar Pei
• West Highland White Terrier

Symptoms of Skin Allergies in Dogs

These are some of the common symptoms of a skin infections allergy:

• Excessive dog chewing, biting, licking and/or scratching
• Red, raised and swollen areas of skin
• Pimples, scabs, bumps and welts
• Darkening and thickening of skin from excessive scratching
• Hair Loss in patches or general thinning of hair
• Brown staining of feet due to saliva from excessive licking
• Scratching ears and shaking the head

You’re dealing with not just the discomfort and itching of the allergic response, but also the possibility of subsequent infection in dogs with severe skin allergies. Because your dog scratches, licks, and chews at his skin in response to the itching, yeast and bacterial infection can enter through sores [1]. These may necessitate medical treatments.

How Skin Allergies in Dogs Are Diagnosed

To diagnose a skin allergy, your vet may do a combination of the following:

• Take a detailed history and perform a thorough physical exam
• Do a skin scraping to look for mites
• Exam skin cells microscopically (cytology) to check for bacteria and yeast
• Perform an allergy blood test or allergy tests
• Inject purified allergens under your dog’s skin (intradermal allergy testing)
• Ask you to change your dog’s diet to one that is hypoallergenic

How to Manage Skin Allergies in Dogs

Since allergies tend to be due to an overreaction of the immune system, there is no “cure” for them – they can only be managed. Ongoing treatment may involve a combination of the following:

• Avoiding the allergens where possible
• Treating your dog for bacteria, yeasts and other parasites that contribute to the problem
• Adding supplements to your dog’s diet
• Using anti-itch or antibacterial shampoo
• Applying topical anti-inflammatory or antibacterial creams
• Administering medications such as antihistamines and/or corticosteroids
• Vaccinating your dog against the allergens (immunotherapy)
• Feeding your dog a hypoallergenic diet
• Your dog will be itchy all the times so you must have your dogs nails trimmed and clean using the best dog nail grinder in order not to carry any parasites.

Pet parents must accept the fact that managing skin infections allergies is long term, takes time and dedication, and is often frustrating and expensive.

Follow your vet’s instructions carefully, since you may need to give your dog medications for months. Some of these medications, such as corticosteroids, have many potential side effects, including excessive thirst and urinating, ravenous appetite, bloating and weight gain, wasting of muscle, hormonal diseases, increased risk of infections, bacterial infections, kidney failure, stomach ulcers and a decreased lifespan.

Supplementing your dog’s diet with i Love Dogs Reishi with Green Tea can help reduce the need for these medications since they decrease inflammation of the skin and help to boost your dog’s immune system.

How to Prevent Dog Skin Allergies

The best mode of prevention is avoiding the allergen as much as possible. This includes:

• Strict monthly flea control
• Avoiding long or freshly cut grass
• Walking your dog around places he knows. You can have him without a leash in a predetermined clean place by using the best wireless dog fence.
• Vacuuming regularly to keep dust, dust mites and mold to a minimum
• Keeping your dog indoors when there’s a lot of pollen in the air
• Avoiding foods that cause allergic reactions

If your dog’s skin condition is caused by an allergy, illness, or something else entirely, we can identify the source and provide an effective cure for a skin infection to make your pet feel better.

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That is all the basic information and home remedies you need in order to understand what is the best course of action if your dog is allergic to something. Stay tuned for more articles on how to keep your dog healthy.